Patent Application
20080222958
The present invention relates to the field of safety windows. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device to allow a user to lock a window sash in place relative to a window frame.
Opening windows to obtain fresh ambient air is appealing and pleasurable in various warm weather seasons. In multi-story homes and buildings, however, open windows can be problematic and present a potential safety hazard. In this, an open window is an attraction to a child, a mentally impaired adult or a pet who approaches the window opening to gaze outside. Disaster may strike if the child climbs onto an open window sill or even leans out a window to look down. Any fall is almost certain to result in death or serious bodily injury. Moreover, the secondary emotional trauma to a parent attendant such a tragedy may be debilitating.
The dangers associated with an open window has lead to a number of proposed solutions. Many residential apartment buildings have converted to sealed windows having a small vent which may be opened to allow fresh air to enter the living space. The obvious disadvantages associated with these window systems is that the window can not be opened very much and such systems are clearly a fire hazard.
Other prior art safety systems utilize a permanently installed bar cover which is screwed into the frame of the window. This system has several limitations. First, it is very unattractive to have permanently installed bars covering a window opening. Second, the fastening elements which are needed to secure a bar cover to a window frame may cause extensive damage to the frame. Third, these permanent bars create a prison atmosphere and block any egress which may be necessary in the event of a fire or other emergency.
Another prior art attempt utilizes a plurality of telescopic rods or collapsible scissor bars which have one end secured to the window sill and the other end secured to a window sash. When the window sash is raised to an open position, the rods or bars extend and cover the window opening. This system has several recognized difficulties. First, the presence of the rods is obvious whether the window is open or closed which detracts from the aesthetic appearance of the window. Second, the telescopic rods are an expensive addition to the window system and are not easily manufactured. Third, the system must be screwed into the window sash and sill which causes permanent damage to the window and surrounding frame.
Another prior art attempt utilizes a plurality of bars which are secured to the underside of the lower rail of a lower window sash. When the lower window sash is in a closed position, the bars are housed beneath the window sill in an adjacent wall. As the lower window sash is raised the bars are raised into the window opening thereby providing a safety feature. Several disadvantages are recognized. First, this system involves major alterations to the window system and surrounding walls in order to house the bars. Second, the system is a costly alternative to prior art safety systems. Third, the system causes permanent damage to the window sash and frame.
Yet another prior art attempt utilizes a bar system which travels in vertical guides secured to the window frame. As a window is opened the bars occupy the opening. This prior art attempt utilizes a plurality of runners which guide an attached bar. This complex system has several recognized limitations. First, the system utilizes complex parts which increases the difficulty of installation and increases the production cost. Second, the system does not provide a means for housing the bars when the window is in a closed position. Third, the system provides no easy and convenient way to disengage the safety system when not needed. Fourth, the system requires major alterations to an existing window structure.
The difficulties and limitations suggested in the preceding are not intended to be exhaustive, but rather are among many which demonstrate that although significant attention has been devoted to window safety systems, such systems appearing in the past will admit to worthwhile improvement.
Thus there is a need for a safety window that overcomes the above referenced and other disadvantages.
The disclosed invention relates to a safety window comprising: a window frame, with a right inner surface, a left inner surface, a top, and a bottom; a lower sash in vertical slideable communication with window frame, the lower sash with a top and a bottom; an upper sash in vertical slideable communication with the window frame, the upper sash with a top and a bottom; a lock apparatus located on the top of the lower sash and the bottom of the upper sash and configured to reversibly lock the lower sash with respect to the upper sash, when locked the upper sash is located at the top of the frame, and the lower sash is located at the bottom of the frame; a first plurality of holes located on the right inner surface of the window frame; a second plurality of holes located on the left inner surface of the window frame; a first extendible pin located in the top of the bottom sash, and configured to removeably engage at least one of the first plurality of holes; a second extendible pin located in the top of the bottom sash, and configured to removeably engage at least one of the second plurality of holes; a first sliding member located at the top of the bottom sash, and in operable communication with the first pin; a second sliding member located at the top of the bottom sash, and in operable communication with the second pin; a first frame member located on the interior right surface of the window frame, the first frame member configured to be slideable communication with the first extendible pin when the first extendible pin is in a normal position; a second frame member located on the interior left surface of the window frame, the second frame member configured to be slideable communication with the second extendible pin when the second extendible pin is in a normal position.
The disclosed invention also relates to a safety window comprising: a window frame, with a right inner surface, a left inner surface, a top, and a bottom; a lower sash in vertical slideable communication with window frame, the lower sash with a top and a bottom; an upper sash fixed in the window frame, the upper sash with a top and a bottom; a lock apparatus located on the top of the lower sash and the bottom of the upper sash and configured to reversibly lock the lower sash with respect to the upper sash, when locked the upper sash is located at the top of the frame, and the lower sash is located at the bottom of the frame; a first plurality of holes located on the right inner surface of the window frame; a second plurality of holes located on the left inner surface of the window frame; a first extendible pin located in the top of the bottom sash, and configured to removeably engage at least one of the first plurality of holes; a second extendible pin located in the top of the bottom sash, and configured to removeably engage at least one of the second plurality of holes; a first sliding member located at the top of the bottom sash, and in operable communication with the first pin; a second sliding member located at the top of the bottom sash, and in operable communication with the second pin; a first frame member located on the interior right surface of the window frame, the first frame member configured to be slideable communication with the first extendible pin when the first extendible pin is in a normal position; a second frame member located on the interior left surface of the window frame, the second frame member configured to be slideable communication with the second extendible pin when the second extendible pin is in a normal position.
The present disclosure will be better understood by those skilled in the pertinent art by referencing the accompanying drawings, where like elements are numbered alike in the several figures, in which:
The sliding members 46, 50 may be configured to be childproof, that is the may be configured to be difficult for a young child to operate. In one embodiment, the sliding members 46, 50 may require a user to both squeeze the members 46, 50 while sliding it, in order to move the sliding members 46, 50 and therefore the pins 54, 58. Of course, other known child proofing techniques may be incorporated into the sliding members 46. 50. Referring to
The disclosed safety window has many advantages. The safety window will assist in preventing children from opening windows, and perhaps injuring themselves. The safety window can prevent intruders from easily gaining access through the window, while allowing the window to remain open to allow the outside atmosphere or a breeze into the home.
It should be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, and “third”, and the like may be used herein to modify elements performing similar and/or analogous functions. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated.
While the disclosure has been described with reference to several embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
