Window security device

A security device for a window or other opening in a wall structure, such as a basement window, for preventing unauthorized entry therethrough. The device has an extensible bar adapted to extend across the window from side to side, and which is pivotable about one end between an initial position extending outwardly from the wall structure and a security position extending across the window. The device includes a locking bracket adapted for mounting on the wall structure adjacent the window or on the window frame itself and means such as a combination lock for releasably securing the other end of the bar thereto. On the opposite side of the window is a pivot bracket, also mounted on the wall structure or on the window frame and adapted to receive the pivot end of the bar. The bar is pivotally connected to the pivot bracket by a removable pivot pin that cannot be removed when the bar is locked at its other end to the locking bracket. The pivot bracket includes an interference plate or flange that blocks removal of the pivot pin when the bar is in its security position to prevent unauthorized disconnection of the bar but which has an opening or slot formed therein such that the pivot pin may be removed when the bar is unfastened at its locking end and pivoted back to its initial position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to security devices for preventing unauthorized 
entry through windows or the like in exterior walls of buildings. More 
particularly, the invention relates to a locking bar that may be used 
alone or with other similar bars to extend across the window or the like 
and prevent entry even though the window glass may be broken by a 
prospective intruder. The device of the invention is particularly adapted 
for use in connection with basement windows in homes where a single bar is 
sufficient to prevent unauthorized entry; however, the invention is not 
limited to that specific application. 
Security bars for doors and windows, especially those formed of glass, are 
often used to prevent an intruder from entering a dwelling or other 
building by breaking the glass either sufficiently to permit entry 
therethrough or sufficiently to permit release of the latching device. 
Examples of prior art devices in this field are shown in the following 
U.S. patents: 
U.S. Pat. No. 2,130,216 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,698,754 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,809,417 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,082,332 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,262,503. 
While these locking bars are effective in many circumstances, they all have 
weaknesses that are vulnerable to the skill of a prospective intruder. 
For example, while many are secured with a combination lock, padlock, or 
other positive locking device, they may be defeated if window glass is 
broken or otherwise removed sufficiently to enable a prospective intruder 
to disconnect one end of the bar or the other. For example, none of the 
devices shown would prevent an intruder from gaining entry through a 
basement window if the intruder broke the window glass and then 
mechanically disconnected the unlocked en or pivot end, for example, of 
the security bar. 
It should be noted that none of the prior art devices shown in the patents 
listed above nor the device of the present invention is designed to 
prevent destructive procedures for defeating the security bar, such as, 
for example, a hack saw or other metal cutting means. Such means are not 
within the scope of security provided by the invention, but it will be 
understood that the majority of prospective intruders would be deterred 
from attempting to gain entry if the entry required such destructive and 
time-consuming procedures. 
Accordingly, the security device of the present invention is adapted to 
assure against mechanical disconnection of the bar by a prospective 
intruder and to afford other features and advantages heretofore not 
obtainable from the prior art. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is among the objects of the invention to prevent unauthorized entry 
through a window or the like in an exterior wall structure where the 
window or the like is formed of glass or other material that can be easily 
broken by a prospective intruder. 
Another object is to provide a locking-bar-type security device for a 
window that cannot be mechanically disconnected at one side of the window 
or the other. 
Still another object is to provide a locking bar especially adapted for use 
in connection with basement windows to prevent unauthorized entry 
therethrough, even though an attempt be made to mechanically disconnect 
the device after breaking the window. 
These and other objects and advantages are achieved by the novel security 
device of the invention, which comprises an extensible bar adapted to 
extend across the window and which is pivotable about one end between an 
initial position extending outwardly from the wall structure and a 
security position extending parallel to the wall structure. A locking 
bracket is mounted on the wall structure on one side of the window and the 
respective end of the bar is positively secured to the locking bracket by 
a locking device such as a combination lock. Across the window from the 
locking bracket is a pivot bracket, also mounted on the wall structure and 
adapted to receive the pivot end of the bar. A removable pivot pin 
pivotally connects the respective pivot end of the bar to the bracket, and 
an interference means, such as a plate or flange, blocks removal of the 
pivot pin when the bar is in its security position. When the bar, however, 
is pivoted to its initial position, an opening or slot in the interference 
means is brought into alignment with the pin to permit removal of the pin 
as desired when the bar is disconnected at the locking bracket and then 
pivoted back to its initial position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is shown a window 
security device A adapted to prevent unauthorized entry through a basement 
window W. The basement window W is mounted between vertical frame members 
11 and 12 on opposite sides thereof, a top frame member 13, and a bottom 
frame member 14. The window itself includes vertical side members 15 and 
16, a top frame member 17, and a bottom frame member 18, in which the pane 
19 of window glass is mounted in accordance with standard practices that 
will be familiar to those skilled in the art. 
The window is pivotally connected to the top frame member 13 by hinges 21 
and 22 to permit the window to be opened when desired. 
The window may be locked in its closed position by a conventional latch 
mechanism 20 mounted on the lower frame member 14 and the lower frame 
member 18 of the window. It will be noted, however, that by breaking the 
window glass, the latch 20 may be easily opened by a prospective intruder. 
The device A of the invention comprises a security bar including extensible 
telescoping tubular members 25 and 26, both being formed of metal of high 
strength and durability, such as steel, and being telescoped one with the 
other to permit adjustment thereof, as required in accordance with the 
width of the window to be secured. While the security bar shown is of 
square cross section, it will be apparent that bars of a circular cross 
section or otherwise may also be used with equal results. The smaller bar 
member 26 is secured at one end to the vertical frame member 11 by means 
of a locking bracket 27 and the larger bar member 25 is secured at one end 
to a pivot bracket assembly 28. 
The locking bracket 27 comprises upper and lower flanges 31 and 32, which 
are adapted to receive the respective end of the tubular bar member 26 
therebetween. A locking device, such as a combination lock, is used to 
securely connect the bar member 26 to the bracket 27 by extending through 
aligned holes in the flanges 31 and 32 and through matching holes in the 
tubular bar member 26. It will be noted that in this way, the locking 
device (not shown) not only locks the end of the bar member 26 to the 
bracket 27 but also prevents extension or retraction of the bar members 25 
and 26 considering similar retention of the opposite end of the larger 
tubular bar member 25. Also, this construction prevents removal of the 
screws that secure the bracket 27 to the frame member 11. 
The pivot bracket assembly 28 comprises two U-shaped brackets 33 and 34 
that are nested together as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The bracket 33 has 
outwardly extending, spaced, parallel flanges 35 and 36 and the inner 
bracket 34 likewise has outwardly extending, spaced, parallel flanges 37 
and 38 (FIG. 3). The bases of the brackets each have a pair of holes 39 
that are used to secure the brackets 33 and 34 in assembled relation to 
the frame member 12 by means of screws or the like. 
The outer end of the tubular bar member 25 is secured to the bracket 34 by 
means of a pivot pin 40 (FIG. 3). The pivot pin 40 has a pair of parallel 
legs 41 and 42 connected by a central span 43. The leg 41 is adapted to 
extend through aligned openings 45 and 46 centrally located in the flanges 
37 and 38 of the bracket 34 and also through aligned openings 47 in the 
end of the tubular bar member 47. This provides a pivotal connection of 
the security bar to the bracket assembly 28. 
The other leg 42 of the pivot pin 40 extends through another hole 48 in he 
top of the tubular bar member 25 to lock the pin in place and prevent 
pivotal movement thereof relative to the tubular bar member 25. 
The insertion and removal of the pivot pin 40, however, can only be 
accomplished when the tubular bar members are released from the locking 
bracket 27 and pivoted outwardly to a position generally prependicular to 
the wall structure, as shown in FIG. 2. In that position, the pivot pin is 
placed in alignment with an outwardly facing slot 49 located in the top 
flange 35 of the outer bracket 33. It will be noted that the top flange 35 
of the outer bracket member 33 is spaced sufficiently from the top flange 
37 of the inner bracket member 34 to accommodate the central span 43 of 
the pivot pin 40. Accordingly, once the leg 41 of the pivot pin 40 has 
been inserted through the openings 45, 46, and 47 of the inner bracket 
members 34 and the tubular bar member 25, respectively, and the other leg 
42 of the pivot pin 40 has been inserted in the opening 48, through the 
slot 49, the bar may be pivoted from the initial position shown in dashed 
lines in FIG. 2 to the security position shown in solid lines in FIG. 2. 
In that position, the top flange 35 of the outer bracket member 33 
interferes with any upward movement of the pivot pin 40, and thus prevents 
removal of the pivot pin 40. This likewise defeats any attempt to 
disconnect either the tubular bar member 25 from the bracket 28 or the 
screws used to connect the bracket assembly 28 to the frame member 12. 
In addition to this, the connection of the pivot pin as described also 
prevents extension or retraction of the tubular bar member 25 relative to 
the tubular telescoping inner bar member 26. 
While the invention has been shown and described with respect to a specific 
embodiment thereof, this is intended for the purpose of illustration 
rather than limitation, and other variations and modifications of the 
specific device herein shown and dscribed will be apparent to those 
skilled in the art all within the intended spirit and scope of the 
invention. Accordingly, the patent is not to be limited in scope and 
effect to the specific device herein shown and described, nor in any way 
that is inconsistent with the extent to which the progress in the art has 
been advanced by the invention.