Portable casement window securing device

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of PPA Ser. No. 60/464,149 filed Apr. 21/2003 by the present inventor.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to securing crank windows, specifically to locking a crank window in a user selected position by allowing only partial rotation of the window crank while the securing device is in place.

2. Background of the Invention

The design of crank windows, frequently called casement windows, allows free rotation of the window crank unless the crank window is in the fully closed position with the securing latch engaged. When a crank window is partially open, anyone on the inside or outside can easily open the crank window further, posing a substantial security risk. A large deficiency in crank window design is that a crank window cannot be secured in a partially open position to allow ventilation.

A number of inventions have been developed for sliding windows to address the need to secure a sliding window while providing ventilation, but there is no such security device for crank windows. Existing crank window security devices focus on securing the window in a closed position via the latch. Currently available solutions for securely leaving a crank window partially open are grilles or an electronic screen linked to a burglar alarm system. Grilles require permanent, unsightly installation and prevent exit in case of emergency. Temporary grilles, such as child barriers, are bulky to install and remove, require adjustment of the grille to fit a specific window frame, and have the potential of being pulled out by a child. Electronic screens are expensive and require integration into a burglar alarm system, which many residences do not have.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION—OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention are:

• • 1) a crank window can be secured at a user selected open position or when closed;
  • 2) the securing device is compact and portable;
  • 3) the securing device can be quickly secured, and released, by an entitled person;

4) no mechanical modification of the window, window frame, or sash are required;

5) a non-entitled person, such as a person outside or young children inside, cannot substantially open or close the window from its secured position

People that wish to leave their crank window slightly open, while remaining secure, would want to employ this device. The device allows a crank window to be slightly open during the night to allow ventilation, while substantially reducing the possibility of a silent, rapid break-in through the window. Small children could play in a room with a window partially open without the risk of them further opening the window, and getting out or falling from the window. The device would also provide a reasonable impediment to reduce the risk of an easy break-in, and would be sought by those with missing or faulty crank window latches, or if someone wished to leave their window slightly open while they temporarily left their residence.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

SUMMARY

Accordance with the present invention a compact, portable device which releasably secures to the crank of a crank window and allows only limited rotation of the crank, effectively locking the crank window in a user selected position.

DRAWINGS—FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of my invention

FIG. 2 is a plan view of slider in the secure position

FIG. 3 is a plan view of slider in the release position

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of a single member body device

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a clam-shell device

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of Applicant's securing device attached to a casement window crank.

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

10

lower body member

12a

body through-hole

12b

body through-hole

14

lock mounting hole

16a

lower slider recess

16b

upper slider recess

18

lock

20

lock securing nut

22

slider

24

actuation slot

26

cam lever

28

lock cam

30

cam securing screw

32

upper body member

36

cam securing screw recess

38

single member body

40

crank handle slot

42

standard lock cam

44

left body member

46

edge connection hinge

48

right body member

50a

crank handle recess

50b

crank handle recess

52a

securing through-hole

52b

securing through-hole

54a

securing hole access slot

54b

securing hole access slot

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—PREFERRED EMBODIMENT—FIGS. 1–3

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of my portable crank window securing device. Lower body member 10 includes body through-hole 12a, lock mounting hole 14, and lower slider recess 16a. Body through-hole 12a is sized to allow a crank window handle to pass through lower body member 10. Lock mounting hole 14 allows lock 18 to be secured to lower body member 10 with lock securing nut 20. Lower slider recess 16a accommodates slider 22. Slider 22 has actuation slot 24, which accommodates cam lever 26 of lock cam 28. Slider 22 fits into lower slider recess 16a, cam lever 26 fits into actuation slot 24, and cam securing screw 30 secures lock cam 28 to lock 18. When a correct key is inserted into lock 18 and turned, lock cam 28 rotates accordingly. Upper body member 32 includes body through-hole 12b, upper slider recess 16b, and cam securing screw recess 36. Body through-hole 12b in upper body member 32 corresponds to body through-hole 12a in lower body member 10. Upper slider recess 16b accommodates slider 22. Cam securing screw recess 36 allows space for cam securing screw 30 to fit into upper body member 32 when lower body member 10 is attached to upper body member 32. Lower body member 10 is attached to upper body member 32, using glue or other attachment means.

OPERATION OF INVENTION—PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 2 shows slider 22 in securing position. Cam lever 26 of lock cam 28 presses against the upper edge of actuation slot 24, holding slider 22 in securing position. With slider 22 in securing position, body through-hole 12a in lower body member 10 is reduced in size in the vertical dimension such that a crank window handle can no longer fit through. To move slider 22 to release position, lock cam 28 is rotated counterclockwise using a correct lock key. Cam lever 26 of lock cam 28 presses against the lower portion of actuation slot 24, moving slider 22 downwards along lower slider recess 16a. When slider 22 has traveled through its full motion along lower slider recess 16a, body through-hole 12a is fully open and a crank window handle can fit through.

FIG. 3 shows slider 22 in release position. Cam lever 26 of lock cam 28 presses against the lower edge of actuation slot 24, holding slider 22 in release position. Slider 22 is moved from the release position to the securing position by rotating lock cam 28 clockwise using a correct lock key. Cam lever 26 of lock cam 28 presses against the upper portion of actuation slot 24, moving slider 22 upwards along lower slider recess 16a of lower body member 10. When slider 22 has traveled through its full motion along lower slider recess 16a, body through-hole 12a is reduced in size such that a crank window handle can no longer fit through.

The through-hole in the body is sized to allow the device to be slid over a crank window handle onto the crank window arm. When in securing position, slider 22 reduces the size of through-hole 12a and 12b such that the body can no longer be removed from the window crank. As the window crank is rotated, the body of the device will mechanically interfere with the window sill, crank handle base, or other window or window crank component to limit window crank rotation.

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION OF ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Detailed Description—Single Member Body Device—FIG. 4

FIG. 4 shows a bottom perspective view of a single member body version of my portable crank window securing device. Single member body 38 includes crank handle slot 40 and lock mounting hole 14. Crank handle slot 40 is sized to allow a crank window handle to slide into single member body 38. Lock mounting hole 14 allows lock 18 to be secured to single member body 38 with adhesive or other fastening means. Standard lock cam 42 is installed on lock 18 with a snap connection or other fastening means. When a correct key is inserted into lock 18 and turned, standard lock cam 42 rotates accordingly.

Operation—Single Member Body Device

Single member body 38 is slid onto a crank window handle using crank handle slot 40. Single member body 38 is secured to the crank window handle when standard lock cam 42 is rotated clockwise with a correct lock key, effectively closing crank handle slot 40. As the crank window handle is rotated, the body of the device will mechanically interfere with the window sill, crank handle base, or other window or window crank component to limit crank window handle rotation. Single member body 38 is released from the crank window handle when standard lock cam 42 is rotated counter-clockwise with a correct lock key, effectively opening crank handle slot 40. Single member body 38 is then slid off the crank window handle along crank handle slot 40.

Detailed Description—Clam-shell Device—FIG. 5

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a clam-shell version of my portable crank window securing device. Left body member 44 includes crank handle recess 50a, securing through-hole 52a, securing hole access slot 54a, and a recess for edge connectoin hinge 46. Right body member 48 includes crank handle recess 50b, securing through-hole 52b, securing hole access slot 54b, and a recess for edge connection hinge 46. Left body member 44 and right body member 48 are connected along one edge by edge connection hinge 46, which allows left body member 44 to close against right body member 48. Crank handle recess 50a and crank handle recess 50b are sized to accommodate a crank window handle. Securing through-hole 52a and securing through-hole 52b are sized to accommodate a lock shackle. Securing hole access slot 54a and securing hole access slot 54b provide improved accessibility to securing through-hole 52a and securing through-hole 52b respectively.

Operation—Clam-shell Device

Left body member 44 and right body member 48 are positioned behind a crank window handle. Left body member 44 is closed against right body member 48, enclosing the crank window handle in crank handle recess 50a and crank handle recess 50b. A shackle of a lock is slid through securing through-hole 52a and securing through-hole 52b. The lock can then be locked and the device is secured to the crank window handle. As the crank window handle is rotated, the body of the device will mechanically interfere with the window sill, crank handle base, or other window or window crank component to limit crank window handle rotation. The device is released by unlocking the lock and sliding the lock shackle out of securing through-hole 52b and securing through-hole 52a. Left body member 44 can then be rotated away from right body member 48 around edge connection hinge 46, releasing the crank window handle from crank handle recess 50a and crank handle recess 50b. Left body member 44 and right body member 48 can be lifted away from the crank window handle.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE OF INVENTION

Detailed Description—Securing Device Attached to Window Crank-FIG. 6

FIG. 6 shows my portable casement window securing device attached to the crank of a casement window.

The reader will see that the securing device of the invention provides a portable, easy to use device for providing crank window security. While the above description contains some specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible, which are primarily related to, but not limited to, the shape and size of the body, various members comprising the body and how they fit and connect together, how the body is secured to the crank window handle, and materials that the device can be made of.

The device could take any number of shapes or forms and still function in the desired manner. The body, or the body plus the means of releasably securing the body, needs to be large enough to cause mechanical interference with the window sill, crank handle base, or other window or window crank member to limit crank rotation. The body could be composed of one or several members, and these members could be connected to one another by a variety of means. The means of releasably securing the body to the crank handle could contribute required dimension to the body to meet the mechanical interference size requirement. The body could be quite large and potentially fit over the entire window crank element. The device could be shaped internally to conform to or accommodate the crank handle base or crank handle itself. Minimizing window sill damage associated with crank rotation with the device in place is a consideration, but not a limitation.

The body could be releasably secured to the crank handle by many means, including but not limited to a hinge, pivot pin, two clamping points each with a securing mechanism, locks, or a U clamp. There are numerous ways to accomplish secure closure, including different types and applications of locks as well as other types of mechanical keys and fasteners. These mechanical lock alternatives could include devices such as a gear with a spring-loaded rotation inhibitor, which may be applicable for child security applications of the device. The device could slide over the top of the crank handle and secure to the crank arm or crank handle by a slider or other means of constricting the through-hole size. The through-hole could take any number of shapes and still function in the desired manner. The device could also use bands, or other types of fasteners, to attach a rotation limiting body to the crank window handle.

The device could be fabricated out of any number of materials, which could include but would not be limited to plastic, metal, hard rubber, wood, other synthetic material, or any combination of these materials. The device could be fabricated from material of any color, or combination of colors.

The device could be attached to a tether to keep it convenient to a selected window, reducing portability but retaining the function and utility of the device.

The device could incorporate sensors and/or other electrical and mechanical components that would allow the device to function as a stand alone alarm or be integrated into an existing alarm system.

Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalent.