Locks – Special application – For closures
Reexamination Certificate
1997-09-11
2001-12-11
Gall, Lloyd A. (Department: 3627)
Locks
Special application
For closures
C070S100000, C292S049000, C292S051000, C292S197000, C292S199000, C292S210000, C292S229000, C292S241000, C292SDIG004
Reexamination Certificate
active
06327879
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to fenestration products, such as sliding glass patio doors. More particularly, the present invention concerns an improved lock mechanism for a fenestration assembly, wherein the mechanism is configured for locking the assembly in a closed position even though the assembly may be slightly ajar.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In many instances, unlawful intrusion into a home or building is gained through a standard fenestration product, such as a sliding door. Accordingly, it is very important that the door include a lock mechanism for securely locking the product in a closed position. It is also important that the lock mechanism provides security without sacrificing durability, practicality, simplicity and economic feasibility. Unfortunately, conventional lock mechanism designs have failed to meet these criteria.
For example, traditional lock mechanisms are capable of locking the door only when the door is closed (i.e., when the door or window is in a closed position). However, it is often difficult to completely close the door. For example, the door frame may be provided with weather stripping which inhibits closing of the door unless the user forcibly slams the door shut. Accordingly, the door will often be left slightly ajar because the user has not exerted enough force to compress the weather stripping. Additionally, fenestration products are often left slightly ajar because the product may appear to be closed even though it is not. Particularly, sliding doors are often received within a slot defined in an upright jamb, and consequently, the door may appear shut even though it is sufficiently ajar to prevent locking.
In any case, the door must often be reclosed before it can be locked by the conventional lock mechanism. It has been determined that some lock mechanisms may be actuated when the door is slightly ajar, but the lock mechanism is not completely engaged so that the user is misled to believe that the door is locked. The user must, therefore, pull the door in the opening direction to ensure it has been locked. Of course, this places untoward wear and load on the lock mechanism. It has also been determined that some lock mechanisms have a tendency to become damaged when the user attempts to actuate the mechanism with the door slightly ajar.
Another common problem with traditional lock mechanisms relates particularly to sliding doors and windows having a fenestration member slidably mounted along a roller track of the door or window frame. The standard lock mechanism for such a fenestration assembly includes a stationary strike secured to the frame and a hook-shaped catch carried on the slidable fenestration member for wrapping partially around the strike when the assembly is closed. Unlawful access through the locked fenestration assembly is achieved simply by dislodging the fenestration member from the roller track so that the strike is released from the catch.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Responsive to these problems, the present invention concerns an improved lock mechanism for locking a fenestration assembly even when the fenestration member has been left slightly ajar. The inventive lock mechanism comprises a strike element and a catch assembly, one of which may be coupled with the frame and the other coupled with the fenestration member. Particularly, the catch assembly includes a catch having structure defining an element receiving slot, and structure for shiftably mounting the catch for shifting among a plurality of positions including an engaged position in which the element is received within the slot and retained therein by the catch when the fenestration member is in its closed position, a disengaged position in which the element is disengaged by the catch when the fenestration member is shifted away from the closed position, and an intermediate position in which the element is received within the slot and the catch is positioned between the engaged and disengaged positions. The catch assembly further includes locking structure for shifting the catch from the intermediate position to the engaged position, and thereby shifting the fenestration member to the closed position, and for locking the catch in the engaged position.
The locking structure preferably includes a component shiftable toward and away from a locked position in which the catch is prevented from shifting away from the engaged position. The catch is provided with safety structure for preventing the locking component from shifting toward the locked position when the catch is in its disengaged position. Since the disengaged position of the catch corresponds to the open condition of the fenestration assembly, the safety structure prevents the lock mechanism from being locked when the assembly is open. This minimizes the risk of “lock-out” situations. That is, the user is less likely to be inadvertently locked outside the fenestration assembly because the lock mechanism cannot be actuated when the assembly is open.
The present invention is also concerned with a lock mechanism that minimizes the risk of intrusion through the fenestration assembly. The lock mechanism may further include structure for blocking the movement of the element through the open end of the slot when the catch is in its engaged position. With the catch locked in its engaged position, the strike element cannot be released from the catch simply by shifting it through the open end of the slot. This construction would consequently prevent intrusion through a sliding door by dislodging the fenestration member from the roller track of the frame, as described above.
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Gall Lloyd A.
Hovey Williams Timmons & Collins
Pella Corporation
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