Abstract:
This fenestration locking system for a swinging sash or door is characterized by the use of a linear member running continuously from an actuating assembly to a locking pin assembly. The linear member can be a flexible linear member, allowing it to convey motion to the locking pin assembly around corners. The locking pin assembly has a moveable locking pin with an actuator and an extension that can engage a keeper. The linear member has multiple actuator engagement sites along its length where the actuator of the locking pin can engage the linear member. The linear member can then be used to move the locking pin with respect to the locking pin assembly so that the extension can engage or disengage a keeper. The locking pin assembly can be mounted on a fenestration frame and the keeper opposingly mounted on a window or door mounted in the fenestration frame. Alternately, the keeper can be incorporated into the fenestration frame and the locking pin assembly opposingly mounted on the window or door mounted in the fenestration frame.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/294,533, filed on May 30, 2001, which Provisional application is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     
       TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0002]    This invention deals generally with fenestration locking systems for openings having a swinging closure means such as a swinging sash, door, or gate. More specifically, it pertains to locking systems that use sliding elements to transfer locking motion, especially those using bendable sliding elements to transfer locking motion around a corner. It emphasizes systems using-a flexible push-pull member and actuating lever handle arrangements suitable for use with such systems.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Fenestration is generally considered to include any opening in a building&#39;s envelope, including windows, doors, and skylights. The technology applicable in the fenestration context can, however, also be applicable for other enclosure-openings, such as gates in walls or fences.  
           [0004]    There are many fenestration locking systems currently in existence. Only a few of these systems use a bendable sliding element to transfer locking motion around a corner. Among systems using a bendable sliding element are sash locking systems that have a flexible cable that extends all the way around the window. In these systems, a locking element can be pulled in two directions by opposing cables for locking and unlocking purposes. However, the cables are only used in a pulling mode; they cannot be used in a pushing mode. More typical are sash locking systems that feature a flexible push-pull member at the corner of the window frame. This push-pull member serves as a bendable sliding element and can be pulled or pushed to lock or unlock a window sash. In these systems, the flexible push-pull member is generally connected to a rigid vertical locking bar carrying the locking pins for the sash. Sash locking systems also use a variety of lever handle arrangements for moving these bendable sliding elements back and forth so as to engage or disengage a sash lock.  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,887,392, issued to Lense in 1989 for an “Apparatus for Actuating and Locking a Window Sash”, provides an example of a design using a flexible push-pull member at a window corner. This patent uses a flexible tape that drives around the corner; but once the tape rounds the corner; it connects to a rigid locking bar that moves up and down to accomplish sash locking. The tape is also moved by an actuator that opens and closes the window, rather than by a separate lever.  
           [0006]    Contrasting but related designs can be seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,807,914 and 5,370,428. U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,914, issued to Fleming et al. in 1989 for a “Window Lock Assembly”, shows a locking system driven by a perforated tape. However, this tape does not extend around a corner. It merely serves as a rack driving a pinion formed as a locking cam. U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,428, issued to Dreifert et al. in 1994 for a “Mechanism for Releasably Locking Sashes in Door or Window Frames”, shows sash locking pins driven by a moving lock bar to which the pins are not attached. The pins are trapped for movement within guides that straddle or cover both sides of the locking bar.  
           [0007]    Of the systems described above, those using a flexible member to form a bendable corner push-pull sliding element have proven to be simpler to construct and less expensive. However, there remains a need for improvements that will create a locking system that is similar in function, but even simpler to manufacture and operate than prior art devices. These improvements should also serve to create a single lever locking system that is more versatile and significantly less expensive to construct and install.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    My first improvement is the use of a flexible push-pull member that can be used not only to transfer movement around a fenestration corner, but to transfer movement all the way from a distant location on the fenestration edge to a locking member. Thus, my flexible push-pull member can be used to transfer movement from a locking lever at the bottom of a window around the corner and up the side of the frame (or “jamb”) to the position of the upper-most locking pin. In addition, the location of the operative parts of my invention can be reversed.  
           [0009]    For example, the flexible push-pull member and related parts can be mounted on the door or sash with keepers mounted on or incorporated into the doorframe or jamb. Further, my invention, unlike prior art devices, is capable of use around irregularly shaped windows and doors. Thus, it can easily be adapted for use around a round window or window opening.  
           [0010]    In my invention, locking pins are not directly attached to the flexible member. In a some embodiments of my invention, the locking pins have collars or enlarged portions that trap the pins in place under slotted guides mounted on the edges of the fenestration or fenestration closure means. In other embodiments, the guide is a slotted cover strip that overlays the flexible member and locking pins. In either case, the locking pin is generally provided with a coaxial motion transmitting pin or member that extends into regularly spaced perforations in the flexible member. This eliminates any permanent connection between my locking pins and the flexible member and simplifies the installation of the pins and flexible member. It also allows the locking pins to be mounted to engage various perforations in the flexible member, depending on the dimensional requirements of the door, window, or opening in question.  
           [0011]    I have also improved the locking lever assembly used in my invention. It has a simple three-piece structure. A lower piece has a slot that runs parallel with and above the flexible member (or “locking tape”), and the upper piece has a slot oriented transverse to the direction of movement of the locking tape. The locking lever has a drive pin that extends into the locking tape and a pivot pin that extends upward into the slot running transverse to the tape. As the lever is rotated, the pivot pin moves along the length of the transverse slot while the tape drive pin drives along the direction of movement of the tape. The arrangement provides a low mechanical advantage and higher speed movement as the locking motion is commenced, and a greatly increased mechanical advantage and slower speed movement as the locking pins are driven home to pull the sash or door snuggly into a sealed closure with its frame. The arrangement also aligns the two pins with the direction of movement of the tape. Thus, when the sash or door is locked, it is not possible to pry into the edge of the frame and push against the locking pins to move the tape to an unlocked position.  
           [0012]    These improvements serve to create a fenestration locking system that is similar in function but simpler and more effective in installation and application than prior art devices. Indeed, all a user generally needs for implementing my invention in a window or door opening is (1) a strip of flexible member; (2) one or more of my pins; (3) pin guides; (4) a corner bracket for guiding the flexible member around sharp corners; (5) keepers for placement on frame, door, or sash; and (6) an actuating member. There is no further need for fixed length locking bars with pins mounted on the locking bars in addition to guide plates supporting such pins or locking bars. These improvements also serve to create a single lever locking system that is significantly less expensive. Indeed, my improved locking lever assembly is so compact that the locking lever can fit directly below the operator that opens and closes a sash, putting all the controls neatly in a single location and avoiding any interference with window blinds and curtains. These and the numerous other advantages of my invention will become evident upon review of the drawings and detailed description that follow. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    FIGS.  1 - 4 B illustrate an embodiment of my invention where the locking pins are held in place by slotted guides mounted on the edges of a fenestration opening.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an upper locking pin assembly for this embodiment of my invention. FIG. 2 provides a first perspective view of a lower locking pin assembly, corner guide, and locking lever assembly for this embodiment of my invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 provides a second perspective view of a lower locking pin assembly, corner guide, and locking lever assembly for this embodiment of my invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4A provides a side view of a locking pin for this embodiment of my invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4B provides a frontal view of a locking pin assembly for this embodiment of my invention.  
         [0018]    FIGS.  5 A- 6 G illustrate the structure, construction, and use of my locking lever.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5A provides an exploded perspective view of a locking lever assembly of my invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5B provides a perspective view of a locking lever assembly of my invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5C provides an inverted exploded perspective view of a locking lever assembly of my invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6A provides a schematic cross-sectional view of the locking lever assembly in an open position.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6B provides a schematic cross-sectional view of the locking lever assembly after it has been moved  20  degrees towards a closed position.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 6C provides a schematic cross-sectional view of the locking lever assembly after it has been moved  40  degrees towards a closed position.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 6D provides a schematic cross-sectional view of the locking lever assembly after it has been moved 60 degrees towards a closed position.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6E provides a schematic cross-sectional view of the locking lever assembly after it has been moved 80 degrees towards a closed position.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 6F provides a schematic cross-sectional view of the locking lever assembly after it has been moved 100 degrees towards a closed position.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 6G provides a schematic cross-sectional view of the locking lever assembly after it has been moved 120 degrees towards a closed position.  
         [0029]    FIGS.  7 A- 7 C illustrate a locking lever assembly adapted for direct use with a sash keeper, while FIG. 7D illustrates a locking lever assembly used to drive a rigid lock bar.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 7A provides an exploded perspective view of a locking lever assembly adapted for direct use with a sash keeper.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 7B provides a perspective view of the locking lever assembly illustrated in FIG. 7A in an unlocked position.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 7C provides a perspective view of the locking lever assembly illustrated in FIG. 7A in a locked position, engaging a sash keeper.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 7D provides a perspective view of a locking lever assembly positioned between and interacting with two locking pin assemblies via a rigid lock bar.  
         [0034]    FIGS.  8 A- 10 B illustrate embodiments of my invention where the locking pins are held in place by slotted cover strips.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 8A provides a perspective view of one of these embodiments of my invention.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 8B provides a perspective view illustrating a variation of this embodiment of my invention.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 9A provides a perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8B mounted at the corner of a fenestration closure means.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 9B provides an exploded view illustrating some of the elements extant in FIG. 9A.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 10A provides a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the cover strip of my invention.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 10B provides a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the cover strip of my invention.  
         [0041]    FIGS.  11 A- 13 B illustrate additional preferred embodiments for several elements of my invention.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 11A provides an exploded perspective view of an alternative locking pin and guide.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 11B provides an assembled view of the alternative locking pin and guide illustrated in FIG. 11A.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 12A provides an exploded perspective view of another alternative having a hook-shaped locking member with its guide.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 12B provides an assembled view of the alternative hook-shaped locking member and guide illustrated in FIG. 12A.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 13A provides a perspective disassembled view of a two-part locking lever with a separable snap-in handle.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 13B provides a perspective assembled view of the two-part locking lever with separable snap-in handle illustrated in FIG. 13A. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0048]    Tape  1  serves as the flexible push-pull member in my design. It starts at a locking lever assembly (denoted generally by arrow  300 ). In the embodiments of my invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4B, locking lever assembly  300  is mounted on a windowsill  2  or at other locations on the frame (or perimeter) of a fenestration opening. Tape  1  can extend to as many locking pin assembly locations as desired. These could be placed all the way around the perimeter of a fenestration opening (e.g.—all the way around a window or doorframe). In most cases, however, a swinging sash or door will require only the installation of an upper locking pin assembly (denoted generally by arrow  100 ) and a lower locking pin assembly (denoted generally by arrow  200 ) on frame  4  in order to ensure that the sash or door is securely fastened when closed. Thus, in the preferred embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3, tape  1  extends around the corner of a window frame via corner bracket  3  and upward along window frame  4  to upper locking pin assembly  100  and lower locking pin assembly  200 .  
         [0049]    In my invention, both locking pin assemblies  100 ,  200  can be substantially identical in terms of their form and parts. Instead of having a locking pin permanently affixed to tape  1 , the locking pins  5  of these embodiments have collars  5 A that trap the locking pins  5  in place within guides  6  mounted on frame  4 . My locking pins  5  also have a coaxial motion transmitting pin SB that extends into pin slots  7  in tape  1 . (Only one pin slot  7  is denoted to avoid over-crowding of the drawing figures.) Collars  5 A keep pins  5  trapped within guides  6  mounted to the casement side  4  so that pins  5  extend outward to engage or disengage keepers  8  on the sash, when their motion transmitting pins  5 B are moved up and down by tape  1 .  
         [0050]    The elimination of any permanent connection between my locking pins  5  and tape  1  greatly simplifies the installation of my invention. It also allows upper locking pin assembly  100  and lower locking pin assembly  200  with their respective locking pins  5  to be mounted to engage various pin slots  7  in tape  1 . Tape  1  can be provided in rolls and can easily be trimmed to the length desired. This allows my locking pin assemblies  100 ,  200  to be affixed at virtually any location along frame  4 .  
         [0051]    Thus, both locking pin assemblies  100 ,  200  and locking lever assembly  300  can be easily and simply positioned by the installer in any location desired or at any location dictated by the dimensional requirements of the fenestration opening. Some may choose to mount the locking lever assembly  300  between locking pin assemblies  100 ,  200  on frame  4 . Ultimately, all a user needs for adding the fenestration locking system of my invention to almost any window or door in almost any configuration is: (1) a strip of perforated tape  1 ; (2) pins  5  for the keepers  8  on the window sash or door; (3) pin guides  6  for frame  4 ; (4) a corner bracket  3  for guiding the tape  1  at the corner of the window or door frame; (5) keepers  8  for the sash or door; and (6) some type of actuating member to move tape  1 . The foregoing components can be advantageously manufactured from a variety of materials, including plastics and metallic materials.  
         [0052]    The preferred actuating member for my invention is locking lever assembly  300 , which can be seen to best advantage in FIGS. 5A through 7C. It has an upper piece  20  with a transverse slot  21  that is transverse to and above locking tape  1 . It also has a lower piece  30  with a parallel slot  31  oriented in the direction of movement of the locking tape  1 . The locking lever  40  of my locking lever assembly  300  has a handle  301  and a drive pin  41  opposite the handle  301  that extends downward through parallel slot  31  into one of the pin slots  7  of tape  1 . Pivot pin  42  of locking lever  40  is offset towards handle  301  and extends upwards into the transverse slot  21  perpendicular to tape  1 . The lever  40  is rotated, pivoting around drive pin  41 , as it is moved to its locked position. In this process, pivot pin  42  moves first to one end of transverse slot  21  (see, FIG. 6A) and then reverses direction and moves to the other end of transverse slot  21 . (See, FIGS.  6 B- 6 G.) Meanwhile, tape drive pin  41  is pushed along in the direction of movement of tape  1 . As FIGS. 6B and 6C make clear, transverse slot  21  must be at least equal to the distance between drive pin  41  and pivot pin  42 .  
         [0053]    This arrangement provides a low mechanical advantage and higher speed movement as the locking motion is commenced and a greatly increased mechanical advantage and slower speed movement as the locking pins  5  are driven home to pull a sash or door snuggly against its frame. The arrangement also aligns the drive pin  41  and the pivot pin  42  with the direction of movement of tape  1  when the sash is locked. In this position, it is not possible to pry into the edge of the window or door and push against locking pin(s)  5  or drive pin  41  and move tape  1  to an unlocked position.  
         [0054]    As illustrated in FIGS. 7A, 7B, and  7 C, my unique locking lever assembly  300  can also be used by itself without tape  1  as part of a fenestration locking system. In this situation, the orientation of my locking lever assembly  300  is reversed so that drive pin  41  projects outward. Drive pin  41  interfaces not with tape  1 , but directly with keeper  8 . As will be noted, the preferred embodiment illustrated also has two transverse slots  21 . This allows the use of locking levers  40  adapted to open in either direction by using the transverse slot  21  suited to that locking lever  40 . Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 7D, a locking lever assembly  300  assembled in the usual manner could be used to drive the type of rigid lock bar  10  typical in sash locking assemblies used with a swinging sash. In this circumstance, it could advantageously be mounted at the side of an enclosure between locking pin assemblies  100 ,  200 .  
         [0055]    In the embodiments of my invention illustrated in FIGS. 8A through 10B, the locking lever assembly (not shown) is mounted on a swinging sash or door mounted in a fenestration opening. The keeper (not shown) would be incorporated into the frame for the swinging sash or door. Modified tape  1 A can extend to as many locking pin assembly locations around the perimeter of a swinging sash or door as desired. However, as was the case with the prior embodiments described, a swinging sash or door will usually require only the installation of an upper locking pin assembly (not shown) and a lower locking pin assembly (not shown) in order to ensure that the sash or door is securely fastened when closed.  
         [0056]    Modified tape  1 A of these embodiments is seated in a groove  400  in the edge of a door/sash  401 . It extends around the corner of door/sash  401  and is held in place in the curved portion of groove  400  extending around the corner of door/sash  401  via a corner guide/cover  402 . In general, however, it is held in place by cover strips,  403 . Cover strips  403  and modified tape  1 A have specialized features to enable them to perform as required in this embodiment. First, the structure and positioning of cover strips  403  requires the use of fastening means positioned in a way that could, potentially, interfere with the function of modified tape  1 A. The centrally positioned screw holes  403 A of cover strips  403  require the placement of tape slots  1 B in modified tape  1 A in order to allow modified tape  1 A to slide back and forth around screws fastening cover strips  403  to a door/sash  401  via screw holes  403 A. Second, cover strips  403  serve the same general function as the guides  6  of the first embodiment. Thus, they must also be provided with slide slots  6 A to allow pins  5  to be moved up and down by modified tape  1 A. The keeper (not shown) for this embodiment will typically be incorporated into the frame for the fenestration opening with a gap in the frame allowing the locking pin  5   20  to be released and the sash or door to be unlocked.  
         [0057]    Other possible variations in my invention are illustrated in FIGS. 8A through 13B. First, FIGS. 8B and 9B illustrate a variation of my invention having an enlarged wedge-shaped locking pin head  5 C and an enlarged square coaxial motion transmitting pin  5 D. (Wedge-shaped heads provide a mechanical advantage to the user when the head and the keeper are not completely aligned.) Square motion transmitting pin  5 D fits into a square slot  7 B in modified tape  1 A. In this embodiment, pin  5  is fitted to slide slot  6 A and is narrower than square motion transmitting pin  5 D. (Thus, square motion transmitting pin  5 D instead of a collar  5 A serves to maintain the position of pin  5  under cover strip  403 .) Second, in FIGS. 10A and 10B, two variations of cover strip  403  are illustrated. In the variation illustrated in FIG. 10A, modified tape  1 A rests in a slot under cover strip  403  created by “L”-shaped extensions  404 . This variation is suitable for placement in existing grooves  400  that may be too large to easily serve the purposes of this invention. Another variation is illustrated in FIG. 10B. In this variation, cover strip  403  is formed for placement over a groove  400  that is more closely tailored for the purposes of this invention; thus, extensions  404  are unnecessary. Third, FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate an embodiment with a pin  5  having a more elongate wedge-shaped head  5 D and a rectangular collar  5 A. Fourth, FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate an embodiment having a hook-shaped head  5 E with two tabs  50  by which it interacts with tape  1 . As the “pin” (hook-shaped head  5 E) for this embodiment is shaped like a “keeper”, the keepers for this embodiment can advantageously be pin- or wedge-shaped. This embodiment uses a side screw guide  51  that can be pressed down onto and fastened directly above the hook-shaped head  5 E so as to hold hook-shaped head  5 E in position. The embodiment illustrated uses screws that are placed into screw holes  52  that penetrate the side of a frame or structure on which this embodiment is mounted rather than being placed through or along side of tape  1 . Fifth, FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate a two-part locking lever  40  with a separable snap-in handle  301 A. This option allows for an easily removed handle for both painting and changing colors of the hardware. The foregoing variations and embodiments should not, however, be seen as exhaustive. The inventive concepts underlying my invention can give rise to numerous variations without exceeding the scope of my invention as better defined by the claims that follow.