Patent ID: 6449902
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: E05B,E05C

Abstract:
A window shutter unit with a locking mechanism, comprising:a frame for mounting upon a wall in surrounding relation to a window in the wall; a movable panel being supported by said frame and being selectively movable between a raised position for covering the window and a lowered position beneath the window, said panel having opposed, front and back sides and an aperture penetrating the bottom of said back side; a vertically oriented rack affixed to said back side of said movable panel and having a bottom end positioned adjacent said aperture in said back side of said movable panel; a tubular body for positioning within a wall beneath a window, said tubular body being located adjacent said back side of said movable panel, said tubular body defining a passageway being in axial alignment with said aperture in said movable panel when said movable panel is in said raised position; a shaft being rotationally and longitudinally movable within said passageway of said tubular body, said shaft having opposed, inner and outer ends; a lever arm secured to said inner end of said shaft for rotating and longitudinally moving said shaft; and, a pinion gear being affixed to said outer end of said shaft and being adapted for selective engagement with said rack for elevating said panel to said raised position and selective positioning within said aperture in said movable panel wherein longitudinal movement of said shaft away from said back side of said movable panel will disengage said pinion gear from said rack permitting said movable panel to fall under the influence of gravity to said lowered position within said frame and selective longitudinal movement of said shaft toward said back side of said movable panel when such is in said raised position will drive said pinion gear into said aperture locking said movable panel in said raised position.