Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Reexamination Certificate
2002-05-02
2004-08-17
Goins, Davetta W. (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C340S541000, C340S545100, C340S545700, C200S061710, C200S061730, C200S061760, C200S061930, C116S086000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06778086
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to security devices and more particularly, relates to a portable device for locking the position of a sliding window and the like.
2. Background Information
Frequently and from time to time the news media have stories of persons who are victimized by criminals making forced entry through sliding glass windows and door, that being especially tragic when the victim is a child or an infant in a bed room sleeping at night. The precaution of keeping a window locked works an acute discomfort on a hot summer night when it is especially inviting to open at least partially a ventilating aperture in the window. One of the great merits of the instant invention, subject of petition for patent, is that a sliding window can be locked against forced entry and still be locked in a partially opened position that will prevent entry by a person.
The invention provide for a lock in a partially opened position. Often a person would like to have a sliding window partially open to have air circulate, but this can sometimes be dangerous.
In a recently reported case in California, a child of age seven was kidnapped while sleeping and after a community wide search for several days the brutalized body was found in a distant grave. The community environment appears to become increasingly of a threat to those without secured building protection.
Devices to lock sliding doors and windows in the open position come in a variety of designs. One such devices attaches to the door and has a pin that fits a socket. However, this requires a modification of the door and window and is a permanent installation. Few, if any, doors and windows are provided with such locks.
A rod, stick or shaft can sometimes be placed in the track of the window to prevent the window from opening, but such a device is inconvenient to keep and use. This invention offers the following advantages over the simple rod, stick, or shaft:
The present invention can not be dislodged by a wire tool that could slip through a ventilating partial opening and thereby permitting the blocking stick to be dislodged. The instant invention can sound an alarm which is not a feature of the simple rod, stick, or shaft.
PRIOR ART
This invention is distinguished from U.S. Pat. No. 5,552,768 of inventors Mikiel and Usevitch in the following particulars: Patent 768 has its blocking force generated by a force vector exerted against the window glass, generated by a wedging action. The present invention places the load axially along the staff acting as a compression column with the load vector between the sash frame which is not glass and the total window frame which is not glass, all of which makes for a less fragile operating structure.
Moreover, this invention has utilitarian value that is neither claimed nor disclosed by said U.S. Pat. No. 5,552,768 or any other prior art in the following particulars:
The instant invention has all the merits cited in patent 768 as improvements over any other prior art plus the additional feature of not being dependent on fragile glass as the principal load force resistance origin. Also the instant invention permits resetting the opening aperture by releasing a detent or clamping means and sliding the shaft in or out further as contrasted with the requirement to reset the suction cup of patent 768.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide a simple, easy to use device that can lock a sliding glass window and the like in a partially open position of variable user chosen position.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a staff of adjustable or selected length that can be fastened to a surface to lock a sliding window.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable window locking device comprised of a staff having a suction cup for mounting the device on a flat window surface to intercept a sliding glass window to prevent its opening beyond a selected fixed value.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable window locking device having a built-in alarm.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable window locking device having an audible alarm mounted on a surface, and including electric contacts that activate the alarm when attempts are made to force a sliding window or door open.
Another object of this invention is to provide integrated, total building security protection system using as a core, starting point means a device attached to a barrier window glass and such that functional service features can be added incrementally.
Another object of this invention is to use said starting point means as a signal input source, as a signal output means, as a stored energy source, as a solar energy collection means, using any one such means independently or in coordination as singular or multiple features of the aggregate at a window station location.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a portable sliding window locking device that is easy to transport and use.
The portable locking device, for sliding windows and the like, solves the problem of unauthorized access by providing a blocking staff held in position by a suction cup, the staff being positioned between the sliding window frame and the immobile window frame. The device includes a resilient suction cup or other easy release fastener for securely mounting the device on a vertical glass surface. The device is mounted by pressing the suction cup, which may be pre-moistened to improve adherence, to the surface of a window adjacent to the frame of the open window.
The mobile frame (sash) of the window will then come to a stop against the end of the portable sliding window lock staff between the fixed window perimeter frame and the moving sash. Any attempt by an intruder to force the window open is solidly blocked by the column staff.
The sliding window lock is light in weight. It is readily portable such that if the device owner has occasion to move to a different house or has occasion to wash the window then the shift is readily removed. In one specific embodiment of the invention a large mushroom-shaped suction cup is attached to the invention staff with adjustable leg so as to adapt to different window pane inset dimensions. The suction cup is provided with a small tab on one edge allowing the device to be easily and quickly removed in an emergency. A quick pull on the small tab releases the vacuum between the suction cup allowing it to be easily dislodged. Also, preferably, the suction cup is located near the top end of the staff when the staff is hung vertically. In such an arrangement just one suction cup could be sufficient to practice the invention.
It appears that a suction cup of polyurethane elastomer would perform well. It has been observed that a decorative window piece hung with such a suction cup on an outside window exposed to full daylight is after 10 years still performing its weight holding support task quite well.
A feature of the device is its use of the polyurethane elastomer which allows it to be made in various colors to suit all tastes. It can be made clear as well as in attractive neon colors. The bright neon colors can also help make it clearly visible as a warning to a would-be criminal. It can also be made of a wood tone to match wooden window frames. The polyurethane elastomer suction cup provides resilience and flexibility.
Since most sliding glass windows and sliding doors do not provide locks for holding the window when the window is partially opened, a person can feel comfortable and safe with this device in use. It can be used on many different sizes of windows. It can be applied at one side or centrally located on a window surface. Wherever it is applied to a surface of a window and securely attached with the suction cup, it establishes the position where the window frame will stop. It sets the window opening position allowing the window to be left slightly ajar for air circulation or allowing a pet to exit a
Morrone Gerald Angelo
Tedesco Louis Samuel
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