Abstract:
A compact, portable device for effectively locking a crank window in a user selected position. The body of the device can be selectively secured to or released from a window crank. When secured to the window crank, the device limits rotation of the crank by mechanical interference.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of PPA Ser. No. 60/464,149 filed Apr. 21/2003 by the present inventor. 
     
    
     
       FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH  
         [0002]    Not Applicable  
         SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM  
         [0003]    Not Applicable  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION—FIELD OF INVENTION  
         [0004]    This invention relates to securing crank windows, specifically to locking a crank window in a user selected position by allowing only partial rotation of the window crank while the securing device is in place.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The design of crank windows, frequently called casement windows, allows free rotation of the window crank unless the crank window is in the fully closed position with the securing latch engaged. When a crank window is partially open, anyone on the inside or outside can easily open the crank window further, posing a substantial security risk. A large deficiency in crank window design is that a crank window cannot be secured in a partially open position to allow ventilation.  
           [0006]    A number of inventions have been developed for sliding windows to address the need to secure a sliding window while providing ventilation, but there is no such security device for crank windows. Existing crank window security devices focus on securing the window in a closed position via the latch. Currently available solutions for securely leaving a crank window partially open are grilles or an electronic screen linked to a burglar alarm system. Grilles require permanent, unsightly installation and prevent exit in case of emergency. Temporary grilles, such as child barriers, are bulky to install and remove, require adjustment of the grille to fit a specific window frame, and have the potential of being pulled out by a child. Electronic screens are expensive and require integration into a burglar alarm system, which many residences do not have.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION—OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES  
         [0007]    Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention are:  
           [0008]    1) a crank window can be secured at a user selected open position or when closed;  
           [0009]    2) the securing device is compact and portable;  
           [0010]    3) the securing device can be quickly secured, and released, by an entitled person;  
           [0011]    4) no mechanical modification of the window, window frame, or sash are required;  
           [0012]    5) a non-entitled person, such as a person outside or young children inside, cannot substantially open or close the window from its secured position  
           [0013]    People that wish to leave their crank window slightly open, while remaining secure, would want to employ this device. The device allows a crank window to be slightly open during the night to allow ventilation, while substantially reducing the possibility of a silent, rapid break-in through the window. Small children could play in a room with a window partially open without the risk of them further opening the window, and getting out or falling from the window. The device would also provide a reasonable impediment to reduce the risk of an easy break-in, and would be sought by those with missing or faulty crank window latches, or if someone wished to leave their window slightly open while they temporarily left their residence.  
           [0014]    Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0015]    Accordance with the present invention a compact, portable device which releasably secures to the crank of a crank window and allows only limited rotation of the crank, effectively locking the crank window in a user selected position. 
       
    
    
     DRAWINGS—Figures  
       [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of my invention  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is a plan view of slider in the secure position  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is a plan view of slider in the release position  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of a single member body device  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a clam-shell device 
     
    
     DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS  
       [0021]    [0021] 10  lower body member  
         [0022]    [0022] 12   a  body through-hole  
         [0023]    [0023] 12   b  body through-hole  
         [0024]    [0024] 14  lock mounting hole  
         [0025]    [0025] 16   a  lower slider recess  
         [0026]    [0026] 16   b  upper slider recess  
         [0027]    [0027] 18  lock  
         [0028]    [0028] 20  lock securing nut  
         [0029]    [0029] 22  slider  
         [0030]    [0030] 24  actuation slot  
         [0031]    [0031] 26  cam lever  
         [0032]    [0032] 28  lock cam  
         [0033]    [0033] 30  cam securing screw  
         [0034]    [0034] 32  upper body member  
         [0035]    [0035] 36  cam securing screw recess  
         [0036]    [0036] 38  single member body  
         [0037]    [0037] 40  crank handle slot  
         [0038]    [0038] 42  standard lock cam  
         [0039]    [0039] 44  left body member  
         [0040]    [0040] 46  edge connection hinge  
         [0041]    [0041] 48  right body member  
         [0042]    [0042] 50   a  crank handle recess  
         [0043]    [0043] 50   b  crank handle recess  
         [0044]    [0044] 52   a  securing through-hole  
         [0045]    [0045] 52   b  securing through-hole  
         [0046]    [0046] 54   a  securing hole access slot  
         [0047]    [0047] 54   b  securing hole access slot  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0048]    Preferred Embodiment—FIGS. 1-3  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of my portable crank window securing device. Lower body member  10  includes body through-hole  12   a , lock mounting hole  14 , and lower slider recess  16   a . Body through-hole  12   a  is sized to allow a crank window handle to pass through lower body member  10 . Lock mounting hole  14  allows lock  18  to be secured to lower body member  10  with lock securing nut  20 . Lower slider recess  16   a  accommodates slider  22 . Slider  22  has actuation slot  24 , which accommodates cam lever  26  of lock cam  28 . Slider  22  fits into lower slider recess  16   a , cam lever  26  fits into actuation slot  24 , and cam securing screw  30  secures lock cam  28  to lock  18 . When a correct key is inserted into lock  18  and turned, lock cam  28  rotates accordingly. Upper body member  32  includes body through-hole  12   b , upper slider recess  16   b , and cam securing screw recess  36 . Body through-hole  12   b  in upper body member  32  corresponds to body through-hole  12   a  in lower body member  10 . Upper slider recess  16   b  accommodates slider  22 . Cam securing screw recess  36  allows space for cam securing screw  30  to fit into upper body member  32  when lower body member  10  is attached to upper body member  32 . Lower body member  10  is attached to upper body member  32 , using glue or other attachment means.  
         [0050]    Operation of Invention—Preferred Embodiment  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 2 shows slider  22  in securing position. Cam lever  26  of lock cam  28  presses against the upper edge of actuation slot  24 , holding slider  22  in securing position. With slider  22  in securing position, body through-hole  12   a  in lower body member  10  is reduced in size in the vertical dimension such that a crank window handle can no longer fit through. To move slider  22  to release position, lock cam  28  is rotated counterclockwise using a correct lock key. Cam lever  26  of lock cam  28  presses against the lower portion of actuation slot  24 , moving slider  22  downwards along lower slider recess  16   a . When slider  22  has traveled through its full motion along lower slider recess  16   a , body through-hole  12   a  is fully open and a crank window handle can fit through.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 3 shows slider  22  in release position. Cam lever  26  of lock cam  28  presses against the lower edge of actuation slot  24 , holding slider  22  in release position. Slider  22  is moved from the release position to the securing position by rotating lock cam  28  clockwise using a correct lock key. Cam lever  26  of lock cam  28  presses against the upper portion of actuation slot  24 , moving slider  22  upwards along lower slider recess  16   a  of lower body member  10 . When slider  22  has traveled through its full motion along lower slider recess  16   a , body through-hole  12   a  is reduced in size such that a crank window handle can no longer fit through.  
         [0053]    The through-hole in the body is sized to allow the device to be slid over a crank window handle onto the crank window arm. When in securing position, slider  22  reduces the size of through-hole  12   a  and  12   b  such that the body can no longer be removed from the window crank. As the window crank is rotated, the body of the device will mechanically interfere with the window sill, crank handle base, or other window or window crank component to limit window crank rotation.  
         [0054]    Description and Operation of Alternative Embodiments  
         [0055]    Detailed Description—Single Member Body Device—FIG. 4  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 4 shows a bottom perspective view of a single member body version of my portable crank window securing device. Single member body  38  includes crank handle slot  40  and lock mounting hole  14 . Crank handle slot  40  is sized to allow a crank window handle to slide into single member body  38 . Lock mounting hole  14  allows lock  18  to be secured to single member body  38  with adhesive or other fastening means. Standard lock cam  42  is installed on lock  18  with a snap connection or other fastening means. When a correct key is inserted into lock  18  and turned, standard lock cam  42  rotates accordingly.  
         [0057]    Operation—Single Member Body Device  
         [0058]    Single member body  38  is slid onto a crank window handle using crank handle slot  40 . Single member body  38  is secured to the crank window handle when standard lock cam  42  is rotated clockwise with a correct lock key, effectively closing crank handle slot  40 . As the crank window handle is rotated, the body of the device will mechanically interfere with the window sill, crank handle base, or other window or window crank component to limit crank window handle rotation. Single member body  38  is released from the crank window handle when standard lock cam  42  is rotated counter-clockwise with a correct lock key, effectively opening crank handle slot  40 . Single member body  38  is then slid off the crank window handle along crank handle slot  40 .  
         [0059]    Detailed Description—Clam-shell Device—FIG. 5  
         [0060]    [0060]FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a clam-shell version of my portable crank window securing device. Left body member  44  includes crank handle recess  50   a , securing through-hole  52   a , securing hole access slot  54   a , and a recess for edge connection hinge  46 . Right body member  48  includes crank handle recess  50   b , securing through-hole  52   b , securing hole access slot  54   b , and a recess for edge connection hinge  46 . Left body member  44  and right body member  48  are connected along one edge by edge connection hinge  46 , which allows left body member  44  to close against right body member  48 . Crank handle recess  50   a  and crank handle recess  50   b  are sized to accommodate a crank window handle. Securing through-hole  52   a  and securing through-hole  52   b  are sized to accommodate a lock shackle. Securing hole access slot  54   a  and securing hole access slot  54   b  provide improved accessibility to securing through-hole  52   a  and securing through-hole  52   b  respectively.  
         [0061]    Operation—Clam-shell Device  
         [0062]    Left body member  44  and right body member  48  are positioned behind a crank window handle. Left body member  44  is closed against right body member  48 , enclosing the crank window handle in crank handle recess  50   a  and crank handle recess  50   b . A shackle of a lock is slid through securing through-hole  52   a  and securing through-hole  52   b . The lock can then be locked and the device is secured to the crank window handle. As the crank window handle is rotated, the body of the device will mechanically interfere with the window sill, crank handle base, or other window or window crank component to limit crank window handle rotation. The device is released by unlocking the lock and sliding the lock shackle out of securing through-hole  52   b  and securing through-hole  52   a . Left body member  44  can then be rotated away from right body member  48  around edge connection hinge  46 , releasing the crank window handle from crank handle recess  50   a  and crank handle recess  50   b . Left body member  44  and right body member  48  can be lifted away from the crank window handle.  
         [0063]    Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope of Invention  
         [0064]    The reader will see that the securing device of the invention provides a portable, easy to use device for providing crank window security. While the above description contains some specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible, which are primarily related to, but not limited to, the shape and size of the body, various members comprising the body and how they fit and connect together, how the body is secured to the crank window handle, and materials that the device can be made of.  
         [0065]    The device could take any number of shapes or forms and still function in the desired manner. The body, or the body plus the means of releasably securing the body, needs to be large enough to cause mechanical interference with the window sill, crank handle base, or other window or window crank member to limit crank rotation. The body could be composed of one or several members, and these members could be connected to one another by a variety of means. The means of releasably securing the body to the crank handle could contribute required dimension to the body to meet the mechanical interference size requirement. The body could be quite large and potentially fit over the entire window crank element. The device could be shaped internally to conform to or accommodate the crank handle base or crank handle itself. Minimizing window sill damage associated with crank rotation with the device in place is a consideration, but not a limitation.  
         [0066]    The body could be releasably secured to the crank handle by many means, including but not limited to a hinge, pivot pin, two clamping points each with a securing mechanism, locks, or a U clamp. There are numerous ways to accomplish secure closure, including different types and applications of locks as well as other types of mechanical keys and fasteners. These mechanical lock alternatives could include devices such as a gear with a spring-loaded rotation inhibitor, which may be applicable for child security applications of the device. The device could slide over the top of the crank handle and secure to the crank arm or crank handle by a slider or other means of constricting the through-hole size. The through-hole could take any number of shapes and still function in the desired manner. The device could also use bands, or other types of fasteners, to attach a rotation limiting body to the crank window handle.  
         [0067]    The device could be fabricated out of any number of materials, which could include but would not be limited to plastic, metal, hard rubber, wood, other synthetic material, or any combination of these materials. The device could be fabricated from material of any color, or combination of colors.  
         [0068]    The device could be attached to a tether to keep it convenient to a selected window, reducing portability but retaining the function and utility of the device.  
         [0069]    The device could incorporate sensors and/or other electrical and mechanical components that would allow the device to function as a stand alone alarm or be integrated into an existing alarm system.  
         [0070]    Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalent.