Abstract:
A window fastener for controlling the locking and unlocking of a window is disclosed. The fastener provides an unlocking feature that is manually activated by the user and a locking feature that is automatically activated as the window is moved substantially proximate to the closed position. The unlocking feature disengages the fastener from the window and maintains disengagement so that further manipulation of the fastener is not required to facilitate window opening. The fastener also provides a positive confirmation feature that informs the user that the window is either closed and locked or open and unlocked.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to window locks and fasteners, and more particularly, to automatic style window locks and fasteners. 
   In a typical window installation, a standard manually operated fastener is employed to lock and unlock the window. With this arrangement, an operator wishing to unlock and open the window must first release the fastener and then move the window to the open position. Conversely, to close and lock the window, the operator must move the window to the closed position and then re-latch the fastener to prevent the window from being opened from the exterior. This need to re-latch the fastener when the window is moved to the closed position presents a security problem because a window in the closed position can appear to be locked even though the fastener is not properly engaged. 
   To eliminate the need to re-latch and lock the window upon closure, “automatic snap” style window fasteners that provide automatic locking have been devised. However, these automatic fasteners complicate window opening because they require hand assistance; i.e., in order to unlock and open the window, the operator must in some way manipulate the fastener with one hand while simultaneously moving the window enough to overcome the automatic latching/locking means with the other hand. This hand assistance requirement not only makes it difficult to open the window, especially if an operator is physically incapable of doing such, but also presents a safety issue particularly in situations where a window needs to be opened quickly and effortlessly for emergency egress. 
   An additional problem common to both standard manually operated fasteners and “automatic snap” style fasteners is that neither offers a visual indicator that positively confirms that the attached window is unequivocally locked and secure. This lack of visual confirmation presents a security problem because a window can easily appear to be fully closed and fully locked when in fact it is not, which can occur from operator negligence and/or fastener malfunction. 
   For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a window fastener that locks automatically upon window closure, does not require hand assistance to overcome latching and locking, and furthermore, offers positive visual confirmation so that a person knows with certainty that the attached window is fully closed, locked, and secured against unwanted entry. 
   SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a window fastener that is particularly suitable for use with horizontal and vertical style sliding windows. 
   According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an unlocking feature that eliminates the need for hand assistance during window opening because once the unlocking feature is actuated to unlock a window, the window fastener will remain in an unlocked condition regardless of whether the window is moved, thereby freeing up both of the operator&#39;s hands to move the window. 
   According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a locking feature, which will automatically lock a window when the window is moved to the fully closed position and the fastener is properly aligned to engage the window. 
   According to still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a positive confirmation feature (confirming indicator) that conveys to a person viewing the window and lock from several feet away (or a visually impaired person touching the fastener) with certainty that the window is closed and locked—not by merely noting that the window appears closed and locked, but by viewing (or if visually impaired, feeling) a positive indicator or representation on the fastener that clearly and unequivocally signifies that the window is closed and locked. 
   The window fastener herein described and comprising the abovementioned features comprises a housing having a front surface defining a front opening, a rear is surface defining a rear opening, a top surface and a bottom surface. A depressible pushlever comprising a pivot end and a nonpivot end is pivotally secured to the housing at the pivot end, which allows the pushlever to pivot through the front opening of the housing between a depressed position, wherein the nonpivot end is substantially flush to the front surface of the housing, and a protruding position, wherein the nonpivot end outwardly protrudes from the front surface of the housing. 
   The position of the pushlever acts as the confirming indicator (noted above), wherein the depressed position indicates a first condition of the window fastener and window position and the protruding position indicates a second condition of the window fastener and window position. Depending on the exact configuration of the window fastener, the first condition can equate to the window fastener being in a locked condition and the window closed, while the second condition can equate to the window fastener being in the unlocked position and the window open (or slightly ajar), or visa versa. 
   The window fastener further comprises: a lock bolt pivotally secured to the housing and operatively coupled to the pushlever, wherein the lock bolt pivots between a latching position and an unlatching position through the rear opening of the housing; a latch pivotally secured within the housing, wherein the latch releasably engages the pushlever at one end; and a trigger rotatably supported within the housing, wherein the trigger rotatably engages the latch. The fastener further comprises: a first biasing element to bias the pushlever towards the protruding position; a second biasing element to bias the trigger towards a resting position; and a bottom plate removably fitted to the bottom surface of the housing. 
   The window fastener is typically attached to a window installation (although it could be used with a door or gate) having a window movable between a window open position and a window closed position, wherein the fastener, once set in the unlocked condition, will disengage the window and remain in the unlocked condition while the window is in the window open position, and wherein the fastener will automatically switch to the locked position and engage the window when the window contacts and rotates the trigger as it nears the window closed position. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings where: 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded isometric view of the window fastener; 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of the window fastener in the unlocked condition; 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of the window fastener in the locked condition; 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of the window fastener; 
       FIG. 5  is a rear view of the window fastener; 
       FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the window fastener in the locked condition with the bottom plate removed; 
       FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the window fastener in the unlocked condition with the bottom plate removed; 
       FIG. 8  is a top view of the pushlever; 
       FIG. 9  is a top view of the latch; 
       FIG. 10   a  is a top view of the lock bolt; 
       FIG. 10   b  is a side view of the lock bolt; 
       FIG. 11   a  is an isometric view of the trigger; 
       FIG. 11   b  is a top view of the trigger; and 
       FIG. 12  is a front view of the optional keeper. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of the window fastener  1  adaptable for windows, and more particularly to vertical and horizontal sliding windows. It should be noted, however, that the fastener is also adaptable with rotating casement type windows and various door and gate configurations. It should also be noted that the parts herein described can be made from any and all suitable materials such as plastics, metals or any combination thereof, so long as the functioning aspects of the window fastener  1  are not compromised. 
   The window fastener  1  comprises a housing  3 , pushlever  20 , a lock bolt  40 , a latch  50 , a trigger  60 , a first biasing element  75 , a second biasing element  77 , and a bottom plate  80 . Optionally, the lock also comprises a separate keeper  90 , mounted to windows that do not already comprise window fastener engagement means such as an integrated slot in the window frame or extrusion to engage the lock bolt  40 . Once assembled, the window fastener  1  provides both a locking feature and an unlocking features. The unlocking feature actuated by the pushlever  20 , is designed so that once actuated, the fastener is set in an unlocked condition ( FIG. 7 ) and will remain in the unlocked condition, thereby eliminating the need for the user to further manipulate or work the fastener to overcome its the engagement while at the same time trying to open the window. The locking feature actuated by the trigger  60 , is fully automatic wherein the fastener  1  will engage and lock the window automatically when the window is moved to the near closed position, eliminating the need for the user to further manipulate or work the fastener  1  to lock the window. Additionally, the window fastener provides a positive confirmation feature that indicates/confirms with certainty whether the fastener is in the locked (window is completely closed and locked) condition ( FIG. 6 ) or unlocked (window is open and unlocked) condition (FIG.  7 ). The physical position of the pushlever  20  provides visual and tactile confirmation of the locked or unlocked status of the window fastener. The positioning of the pushlever  20  is described in further detail below. 
   Attention will now be drawn to a more detailed description of the abovementioned components of the window fastener  1 . The housing  3 , shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , is the main assembly enclosure of the window fastener  1 . The housing  3  has an outer portion  4 , an inner portion  6 , a front surface  7  having a front opening  8 , a rear surface  9  having a rear opening  10 , a top surface  12  and a bottom surface  14 . The outer portion  4  is capable being aesthetically configured (e.g., contoured shaped and colored) to coincide with the particular interior decor requirements of a given user. The top surface  12  further defines at least two thru holes  5  for receiving mounting hardware, such as screws (not shown), to secure the window fastener to a window frame (not shown). The inner portion  6  is configured as an assembly platform to capture and support the working components of the lock (except for the optional keeper). The inner portion  6  comprises a series of posts including a lock bolt post  11  for receiving the lock bolt  40 , a pushlever post  13  for receiving the pushlever  20 , a latch post  15  for receiving the latch  50  and at least two mounting posts that further define the thru holes  5 . The pushlever post  11 , lock bolt post  13  and latch post  15  each define fastener receiving holes  19  that align with coinciding fastener holes  83  defined in the bottom plate  80  for receiving fasteners, such as screws (not shown), to secure the bottom plate  80  to the housing  3  during assembly. The inner portion  6  further comprises at least two saddles  17  and  18 , wherein the saddles rotatably support the trigger  60  and wherein at least one of the saddles has a slot  16  that secures one end of the second biasing element  77 . Additionally, the inner portion  6  has portions defining a front opening  7  to allow at least the pushlever  20  to pivot and protrude as necessary and a rear opening  9  to allow at least the lock bolt  40  and the trigger  60  to pivot and protrude as necessary. 
   The pushlever  20 , shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , and  5 - 8 , is a depressible pushlever comprising an outside surface  30  having a push surface  21 , a gear portion  25 , a pivot end  22  and a nonpivot end  24 . The push surface  21  is configured to have an aesthetic yet functional shape to meet the demands of being repeatedly pressed by the operator desiring to open/unlock and close/lock the window to which the window fastener  1  is mounted. The gear portion  25  comprises at least two gear teeth  26  and engages a mating gear portion  45  on the lock bolt  40  described in more detail below. The push lever includes an inner cavity  29  having a raised ridge  27  that extends perpendicular to the top surface, and a pivot portion  28  through which a pushlever pivot hole  23  is defined. The raised ridge  27  provides an interlocking means to enable the latch  50  to grasp and engage the pushlever  20  during operation. The pushlever pivot hole  23  is adapted to receive the pushlever post  13  so that the pushlever  20  is pivotally mounted about the post  13  and freely pivotable about its pivot end  22  through the front opening  8  of the housing  3  between a depressed position and a protruding position. In a depressed position, the nonpivot end  24  is substantially flush to the front surface of the housing  7  ( FIGS. 2 ,  5 , and  7 ) and provides positive confirmation that the window fastener  1  is set in a first condition. In a protruding position (FIGS.  3  and  6 ), the nonpivot end  24  outwardly protrudes from the front surface  7  of the housing  3  and provides positive confirmation that the window fastener  1  is set in a second condition. In one embodiment, the first condition is the unlocked condition of the window fastener  1 , wherein the window is open and unlocked, while the second condition is the locked condition of the window fastener  1 , wherein the window is fully closed and locked. Alternatively, the first condition can equate to the locked condition and the second condition can equate to the unlocked condition. The inner cavity  6  also has a flat surface portion  31  designed to trap/receive one end of the first biasing element  75 . Optionally scribed on a portion of the outside surface is at least one symbol  33  indicating the direction the pushlever  20  needs to be moved to either lock or unlock the window. The pushlever  20  is further configured to freely pivot a desired angle of rotation while being confined when the bottom plate  80  is in place. 
   The lock bolt  40 , shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  4 ,  6 ,  7 , and  10   a-b , comprises a lock bolt pivot hole  43  defined at one end. The pivot hole  43  is adapted to receive the lock bolt post  11  so that the lock bolt  40  is free to pivot between a latched/extended position ( FIGS. 3 and 6 ) when the window is closed and locked and an unlatched/recessed position ( FIGS. 4 and 7 ) when the window is open and unlocked. At the other end of the lock bolt  40  is an engaging portion  47 , which in one embodiment comprises a tapered surface  48  and a raised lip  49 , which are designed to engage a slot in the window or keeper to act as the locking key. Additionally, the lock bolt  40  has a gear portion  45 , which engages the gear portion  25  of the pushlever  20 , wherein any movement of the pushlever  20  will cause the lock bolt  40  to move in concert. The gear portion  45  comprises at least two gear teeth  46  which engage the corresponding gear teeth  26  on the pushlever  20 . The lock bolt  40  is configured to freely pivot a desired angle of rotation while being confined when the bottom plate  80  is attached. 
   The latch  50 , shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  4 ,  6 ,  7 , and  9 , comprises three end portions. The first end portion  51 , defines a latch pivot hole  54 , wherein the latch pivot hole  54  is sized to receive the latch post  15  of the housing  3  so that the latch  50  is able to freely pivot about the latch post  15 . The second end portion  52  comprises a curved taper surface  57  that engages and cams over when the trigger  60  (described below) pivots. The curved taper surface  57  is designed to interact with the trigger  60 , so when the trigger  60  rotates to a position to engage the latch  50 , the latch will rotate a desired angle of rotation. In one embodiment, the angle of rotation of the latch  50  and trigger  60  occurs at perpendicular planes. The second end portion  52  also comprises a support surface  55  for the purpose of trapping/receiving one end of the first biasing element  75 , opposite the end trapped/received by the pushlever  20 . Lastly, the third end portion  53  of the latch  50  comprises a hooking apparatus  59  that is designed to engage ( FIG. 7 ) and disengage ( FIG. 6 ) the raised ridge  27  on the pushlever  20  as noted above. 
   The trigger  60 , shown in  FIGS. 1-4 ,  6 ,  7 , and  11   a-b , comprises a two sided cam portion  63  and a shaft portion  69  having end portions  70 , wherein the end portions  70  are cradled in the support saddles  17  and  18  of the housing  3  so that the trigger  60  is able to freely pivot or rotate a desired angle of rotation in either direction. The rotational movement of the trigger  60  is initiated by direct contact with an edge of a slot of a moving window frame (or slot of a keeper mounted to the frame), not shown, and the direction of rotation coincides with the direction of window movement. For example, in one embodiment, movement of the window towards an open position (i.e., opening the window) causes the trigger  60  to rotate away from the latch  50  so that no contact is made with the latch and the latch does not move, while movement of the window frame towards the closed position (i.e., closing the window) causes the trigger  60  to rotate in the opposite direction causing the trigger and latch to cam together (engage) and rotate together. The cam portion  63  has two distinct sides, namely a first side  65  and a second side  67 , wherein the first side  65  is configured to interact with the latch  50  so that the trigger  60  and latch  50  rotate on a perpendicular plane. The second side  67  of the cam portion is configured to interact with the slot in the window or keeper. To further secure the second biasing element  77 , a slot is provided in the cam portion  63  of the trigger  60 , wherein the slot secures the end of the second biasing element opposite the end that is fixedly secured in the housing  3  (as noted above). 
   The first biasing element  75 , shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  6 , and  7 , is an elastic spring-type member, such as a leaf spring, or other suitable elastic/spring means, positioned and compressed ( FIG. 7 ) between the latch  50  and pushlever  20 . The first biasing element  75  is used to create and store the necessary energy required to urge or bias the pushlever  20  towards the protruding position and also to urge or bias the latch  50  towards engagement with the pushlever  20 . To further secure the first biasing element  75  in place within the housing  3 , the element is positioned around the pushlever post  13 . 
   The second biasing element  77 , shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  4 ,  6  and  7 , is an elastic spring-type member, such as a coil spring, or other suitable elastic/spring means. In one embodiment, the second biasing element  77  is a thin wire coil spring configured for placement onto the shaft portion  69  of the trigger  60 , with one free end engaging into a slot in the cam portion  63  of the trigger  60 , and the other free end engaging into a slot provided in one of the support saddles of the housing  3 , which in one embodiment is support saddle  17 . The second biasing member  77  is designed to create and store the necessary energy required to hold and return or bias the trigger  60  to a center or rest position regardless of which direction the trigger is rotated by moving the window. 
   To secure the various components to the housing  3 , a bottom plate  80 , shown in FIG.  1 ), is employed. The bottom plate  80  has at least one fastener hole  83  that aligns with at least one of the housings posts  11 , 13 , 15  to removably attach the bottom plate  80  to the housing  3 . The bottom plate  80  is configured so that is can be fitted over the three posts of the housing  3  and rest on the posts&#39; shoulders, trapping the above components with the desired clearance into the housing  3  when attached so that the components are able to function without interference from the plate  80 . 
   As noted above, for windows with frames not capable of engagement with the window fastener  1 , an optional keeper  90 , shown in  FIG. 12 , is provided. The keeper  90  mounts to the window frame via at least one mounting hole  94  and has a slot  92  that is adapted to receive and engage the lock bolt  40  of the fastener  1  for secure window locking. 
   Having thus described the components of the window fastener  1 , attention will now be drawn to one example of its operation. Starting with the window closed (and locked) and the window fastener  1  in the locked condition (FIG.  6 ), a user desiring to unlock and open the window (not shown), depresses the pushlever  20  to actuate the unlocking feature. This causes the pushlever to pivot about the pushlever post  13  so that the raised ridge  27  engages the latch hook  59  further causing the pushlever  20  to be set in the depressed position wherein the nonpivot end  24  is held flush to the front surface  7  of the housing  3 . Setting the pushlever  20  in the depressed position compresses the first biasing member  75  and pivots the lock bolt  40  from the latched position to the unlatched position, which places the fastener  1  in the unlocked condition (FIG.  7 ). 
   If at any time the nonpivot end  24  of the pushlever  20  is held flush to the front surface  7  of the housing  3 , the pushlever  20  is in the depressed position and provides positive confirmation that the fastener  1  is in the unlocked condition, and hence, the window (not shown) is not fully closed and locked. The position of the nonpivot end confirms to the user via visual representation or feel that the fastener is either in the unlocked position wherein the window is open and unlocked or the locked position wherein the window is fully closed and locked. 
   Once in the unlocked condition (FIG.  7 ), the user is then able to open the window and move it to the desired window open position with either one or both hands (user&#39;s is choice) without having to further manipulate the window fastener  1  during window opening for any reason, including having to overcome the latching engagement between the window fastener  1  and the window. As the window is moved away from the fully closed position and away from the locking slot (not shown) of the window frame or slot  92  in the keeper  90 , the window frame or keeper will contact the trigger  60  causing it to rotate in a first direction, which will not actuate the locking feature. And therefore, the nonpivot end  24  of the pushlever  20  will remain flush to the housing  3  representing that the fastener is still in the unlocked condition. 
   When the user desires to close and lock the window, the window is moved back towards the closed position and towards the locking slot of the window or slot  92  of the keeper  90 . When the window is substantially proximate to the closed position, the trigger  60  will come into contact with an edge of the slot of the window frame or slot in the keeper and begin rotating (cam over) in a second direction opposite the first direction, which will actuate the automatic feature of the window fastener  1 . 
   Actuation occurs as the rotating trigger  60  rotates the latch  50  so that the latch hook  59  disengages and releases the raised ridge  27  of the pushlever  20 . This allows the first biasing element  75  to decompress and apply a force to the pushlever  20  causing the pushlever  20  to pivot from the depressed position to the protruding position. As the pushlever  20  pivots, it engages the lock bolt  40  so that the lock bolt  40  pivots/rotates from the unlatching position to the latching position and engages the window fastener engaging means, such as a slot in the window frame or extrusion (not shown) or the slot  92  in the keeper  90 . The lock bolt  40 , however, will not engage the window fastener engaging means until the lock bolt  40  is properly aligned with the engaging means to assure that the window is truly locked. 
   When the lock bolt  40  engages the window fastener engaging means, the nonpivot end  24  of the pushlever  20  is set in the protruding position, which provides positive confirmation to the user (as noted above) that the fastener is in the locked condition ( FIG. 6 ) and the window is fully closed and locked. It should be noted that if the nonpivot end  24  of the pushlever  20  does not extend or protrude out from the housing  3  to the protruding position, the window is not fully closed and locked even if it appears to be fully closed and locked. This assures that the positive confirmation feature is accurate and will not indicate that an unlocked window is indeed locked. 
   Throughout the operative unlocking and locking functions of the window fastener  1 , particularly the automatic function, the first and second biasing elements,  75  and  77  respectively, generate and store the necessary energy required to return, re-set and re-latch all the components for successful and reliable locking and unlocking of the window. 
   Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail, it will be appreciated that additional advantages and modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.