BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.
In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:
FIG. 1 shows a typical double-hung window with one embodiment of the device according to the invention mounted in the upper sash;
FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the device shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of the device of FIGS. 1 and 2; and
FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the device mounted in a double-hung window, with the lower sash raised slightly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now in detail to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 show a first embodiment of the invention, which comprises a post 20 mounted in a double hung window 10. Window 10 has a window frame 17, an upper sash 11 slidably mounted in frame 17 and a lower sash 12 slidably mounted in frame 17. Upper sash 11 and lower sash 12 are disposed offset from each other, i.e., lower sash 12 is mounted more forward than upper sash 11, so that both sashes can slide within window frame 17 independently of each other. Each sash 11, 12 has a glass pane 13, 14, respectively, mounted therein. A lock 50 connects upper sash 11 to lower sash 12 to prevent sliding of either sash. However, lock 50 can be easily broken or circumvented by a prowler, so the device according to the invention can be used to prevent burglaries and to keep young children from opening the window.
One embodiment of the device according to the invention comprises a post 20 that is mounted in a holding cup 22, which is mounted on an upper surface 16 of lower sash 12. Post 20 is held in place on upper sash 11 by a bracket 30. A cross-bar 23 extends through the center of post 20 and is mounted immediately below bracket 30. When mounted in place, post 20 abuts a top 15 of window frame 17. As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, bracket 30 is mounted to upper sash 11 by screws 33. Bracket 30 has two flexible arms 31, 32, that allow post 20 to be releasably snapped in place. To remove post 20, the user simply pulls post 20 away from sash 11 and snaps it out of bracket 30.
In use, post 20 prevents both the upper and lower sashes from sliding within window frame 17. The height of post 20, which matches the height of upper sash 11, causes post 20 to abut both the window frame and lower sash and prevents lower sash 12 from being raised. Cross-bar 23, which extends outwards beyond bracket 30, prevents upper sash 11 from being lowered, because the bracket abuts cross-bar 23 when an attempt is made to lower upper sash 11. Thus, post 20 reliably prevents movement of either sash in the window, yet can be easily removed by an adult on the inside of the window when needed.
An alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, post 20 is made so that it is several inches shorter than the height of upper sash 11. This way, when post 20 is mounted to upper sash 11 so that the top of post 11 abuts surface 15, lower sash 12 can be raised several inches, until surface 16 abuts the lower end of sash 20. This way, the window can be opened enough to let in fresh air, yet remains secure against intruders, and safe for young children
Accordingly, while only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is obvious that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.