Patent Abstract:
A quick-release grating comprising an actuator mounted to the grating, a frame to which the grating is rotatably mounted via of grating hinges, and a safety pin which prevents re-closure of the grating once it has been opened. The actuator comprises spring-loaded deadbolts which slide through frame and grating bores in order to lock the grating in position relative to the frame. The actuator is enclosed within a locked box which prevents unauthorized opening of the grating. An alternate embodiment quick release grating provides for an actuator disposed remote to the grating, which has the benefit of obviating the need to enclose the actuator within a locked box. An additional alternate embodiment quick release grating provides for deadbolts mounted to a grating top member and a grating bottom member. An additional alternate embodiment quick release grating incorporates a transwall structure, whereby an externally-mounted grating may be released via an internally-mounted remote actuator.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to gratings, and in particular to a quick-release grating. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     In today&#39;s security-conscious world, gratings have become a common architectural feature in residences and commercial buildings alike. The incidence of burglaries, home invasions and thefts which has occurred in this century has contributed to a desire for protection against unwanted building entries. As a result, many windows feature sturdy gratings made of metal bars welded into a frame, which cover a window or other building aperture, and prevent entry by a burglar, who could otherwise gain entrance merely by breaking the window glass. 
     An unfortunate side effect of the existence of window gratings is their converse ability to prevent building occupants from exiting through the barred window in an emergency, such as a building fire. It is a sad irony that every year individuals are trapped inside burning buildings by the very window gratings which were supposed to protect them. 
     Thus it has become extremely important to provide a grating quick-release which on the one hand is secure enough to prevent burglaries, yet on the other hand is capable of quick, reliable release. In this fashion, building occupants would be provided an escape route through building apertures equipped with a grating quick-release, and yet when the apertures they cover are not being used as exits, the gratings would prevent unwanted entry by burglars and thieves. 
     Existing Designs 
     A number of devices capable of releasing a grating have been proposed. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,913,957, 4,243,090 and 5,657,578 were granted Astie et al., Kemp, and Thompson respectively. While these devices provided a means of releasing a security grating, it was possible for a burglar to break the window glass and introduce a hand or tool through the grating and open the grating. Needless to say, this design shortcoming defeated the very purpose for installing a security grating in the first place. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,476,957 and 5,603,183 were granted Ory and Giovinazzi respectively. These devices combined a ladder function with a security grating, and appear to have been designed for a second floor (or higher) window. Although means to release the grating was taught, the release mechanism in both cases required substantial vertical clearance below the window upon which the grating was mounted. Where such substantial vertical clearance did not exist, it would be difficult or impossible to open the grating in case of fire. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a quick-release grating which is easily unlocked with a single pull of a handle. Design features allowing this object to be accomplished include an actuator bar attached to deadbolts by means of cable and pulleys. Advantages associated with the accomplishment of this object include the ability to quickly and easily unlock a security grating in case of fire, and then to use the opening it covered to exit the structure. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a quick-release grating which provides a means to keep the opened grating from re-closing. Design features allowing this object to be accomplished include a safety pin disposed within a safety pin housing, and a safety pin spring which is pre-loaded in order to urge the safety pin into an extended position. A benefit associated with the accomplishment of this object is prevention of re-closing of the grating after it has been opened, thus maintaining open an escape route for other building occupants. 
     It is still another object of this invention to provide a quick-release grating which prevents burglars from accessing the actuator bar from the exterior of the building. Design features enabling the accomplishment of this object include a lockable box door, and an actuator disposed within the box. An advantage associated with the realization of this object is increased security from break-ins. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a quick-release grating which may be remotely activated from an interior location removed from the grating itself. Design features allowing this object to be accomplished include a remote actuator connected to remote deadbolt assemblies by means of cables. A benefit associated with the accomplishment of this object is obviation of the need to enclose the actuator within a locked box, and hence speedier quick-release grating unlocking. 
     It is still another object of this invention to provide a quick-release grating which may be used to unlock an exterior grating from the inside of a structure to which it is mounted. Design features enabling the accomplishment of this object include a transwall actuator featuring one or more deadbolts exterior to the building, connected to an interior remote actuator by means of cables carried on pulleys. Advantages associated with the realization of this object include the provision of a fire escape route actuatable from the inside of a building even when the grating is mounted external to the building, as well as elimination of the need to enclose the actuator in a locked box, thus providing faster grating unlocking. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention, together with the other objects, features, aspects and advantages thereof will be more clearly understood from the following in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     Seven sheets of drawings are provided. Sheet one contains FIG.  1 . Sheet two contains FIG.  2 . Sheet three contains FIG.  3 . Sheet four contains FIG.  4 . Sheet five contains FIG.  5 . Sheet six contains FIG.  6 . Sheet seven contains FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of an actuator. 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of a quick-release grating. 
     FIG. 3 is a front isometric view of an U-handle actuator. 
     FIG. 4 is a front isometric cross-sectional view of a safety pin. 
     FIG. 5 is a front isometric cross-sectional view of a remote actuator connected to remote deadbolt assemblies by means of cables, and a safety pin. 
     FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional view of an grating-mounted remote actuator with spring-loaded deadbolts installed on a grating top member and a grating bottom member. 
     FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of a transwall actuator. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The instant disclosure teaches a number of embodiments of the instant invention. FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of actuator  2 . FIG. 2 depicts same installed on grating  40 . FIG. 3 is a front isometric cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment actuator  2 . FIG. 4 is a front isometric cross-sectional view of safety pin  56 , which keeps grating  40  from slamming shut and re-locking once it has been opened using the instant quick-release method. 
     FIG. 5 is a front isometric cross-sectional view of remote actuator  78  connected to remote deadbolt assemblies  74  by means of cables  20 , installed on frame  36  and grating  40 , and safety pin  56 . 
     FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment remote actuator  78  with spring-loaded deadbolts  22  installed on grating top member  45  and grating bottom member  47 . FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of transwall actuator  10 , whereby an interior remote actuator  78  may be employed to actuate externally mounted deadbolt(s)  22 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, we observe actuator  2  mounted in grating  40 , which in turn is mounted within frame  36 . Frame  36  would be mounted over an existing edifice aperture such as a window, door, etc. 
     Frame  36  comprises frame aperture  38  sized to admit grating  40 . Grating  40  is disposed within frame aperture  38 , and is rotatably attached to frame  36  by means of grating hinges  44 . When grating  40  is closed, it is disposed substantially co-planar with frame  36 . Grating  40  may be opened relative to frame  36  by rotating grating  40  on hinges  44  so that grating  40  opens in the same manner as a conventional vertically-pivoted window. 
     Grating  40  comprises grating top member  45  rigidly attached to grating bottom member  47  by means of grating side members  43 . A matrix of bars  42  are disposed within, and rigidly attached to, grating top member  45 , grating bottom member  47 , and grating side members  43 . Grating bars  42  prevent unwanted entry through the edifice aperture to which frame  36  and grating  40  are attached. 
     Actuator  2  is mounted on a grating side member  43  opposite grating hinges  44 . Actuator  2  comprises actuator bar  11  attached to deadbolts  22  by means of cables  20  carried on pulleys  18 . Actuator bar  11  pivots on handle axle  14 , and comprises handle  12  on one side of handle axle  14  and lever  16  on the other side of handle axle  14 . Cables  20  are attached to an extreme (end) of lever  16  opposite handle  12 . The action of pulling on handle  12  has the effect of pivoting actuator bar  11  on handle axle  14  as indicated by arrow  15 , which in turn pulls cables  20  as indicated by arrows  17 , which causes deadbolts  22  to retract as indicated by arrows  19 . As may be observed in FIG. 2, when grating  40  is closed and locked in frame  36 , deadbolts  22  extend through grating bores  41  and frame bores  37 . When handle  12  is pulled, cables  20  retract deadbolts  22  out of frame bores  37 , and permit grating  40  to open. Each cable of actuator  2  rides on two pulleys  18 : one pulley  18  whose pulley axis of rotation  21  is parallel to handle axle  14 , and one pulley  18  whose pulley axis of rotation  21  is perpendicular to handle axle  14 . 
     Actuator  2  further comprises box  32  having box bores  34 , and deadbolt spring stops  28  having deadbolt spring stop bores  30 . See also FIG.  6 . Box bore  34  and deadbolt spring stop bore  30  are sized to slidably admit deadbolt  22 . Deadbolts  22  are spring-loaded in the extended position depicted in FIG. 1 by means of deadbolt springs  24 . Deadbolt spring  24  is constrained in a compressed position between deadbolt spring stop  28  and E-clip  26 , which is installed on deadbolt  22 . E-clip  26  is a standard, off-the-shelf fastener which is made of stiffly resilient material. When a properly sized E-clip  26  is installed on deadbolt  22 , it will retain its axial position on deadbolt  22 , even under the urging of deadbolt spring  24 . Thus, compressed deadbolt spring  24  pushes against deadbolt spring stop  28  and E-clip  26 , thereby spring-loading deadbolt  22  into the extended position depicted in FIGS. 1,  3 ,  5 ,  6  and  7 . 
     FIG. 2 depicts actuator  2  installed in grating  40 . Box  32  comprises box door  46  hingedly attached to box  32  by means of box door hinges  50 . Box door  46  also comprises a means of locking box door  46  relative to box  32 , in order to prevent unauthorized operation of actuator  2 . The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 depicts box door lock  48  which is locked and unlocked by means of a conventional key. Other box door lock  48  embodiments contemplated to be within the scope of the instant invention include a keypad type electronic lock, the use of a magnetic card type lock such as is common in hotels and motels, a combination lock, a voice activated lock, a fingerprint reader lock, an eye retinal scanner recognition lock, and any other appropriate locking mechanism. 
     FIG. 3 depicts U-handle actuator  4  comprising U-handle  52 . U-handle  52  comprises U-handle cross bar  53 . A U-handle leg  54  is attached to each extreme of U-handle cross bar  53 . Each U-handle leg  54  rotates about a handle axle  14 . One cable  20  is attached to each U-handle leg  54  at an extreme opposite U-handle cross bar  53 . The action of pulling on U-handle cross bar  53  has the effect of pivoting U-handle legs  54  on handle axles  14  as indicated by arrow  55 , which in turn pulls cables  20  as indicated by arrows  57 , which causes deadbolts  22  to retract as indicated by arrows  59 . Each cable  20  of alternate embodiment actuator  2  rides on two pulleys  18  whose pulley axes of rotation  21  are perpendicular to handle axle  14 . 
     As may be observed in FIGS. 2 and 4, safety pin  56  is mounted to frame  36 , and is spring-loaded into an extended position, such that when grating  40  is opened, safety pin  56  extends and prevents grating  40  from re-closing. Safety pin  56  is slidably disposed within safety pin housing bore  60  of safety pin housing  58 . Safety pin spring  66  is installed in a compressed position within safety pin housing bore  60  between safety pin  56  and safety pin spring stop  68 . Safety pin spring stop  68  is immobilized relative to safety pin housing  58  by means of lock pin  70 , which extends through safety pin housing  58  into safety pin spring stop  68 . Guide pin  64  is rigidly attached to safety pin  56 , and extends radially from safety pin  56 . Safety pin housing  58  further comprises safety pin housing slot  62 , sized to slidably admit guide pin  64 . Guide pin  64  reciprocates within safety pin housing slot  62 , and limits the movement of safety pin  56  to reciprocation within safety pin housing bore  60 . 
     Safety pin  56  is depicted in FIG. 4 in the retracted position, as it would be constrained by grating  40  when grating  40  is closed. When grating  40  is opened, grating  40  slides off of spring-loaded safety pin  56 , permitting safety pin spring  66  to force safety pin  56  into its extended position, as indicated by arrow  72 . When extended, safety pin  56  extends into the path of travel of grating  40 , thus preventing it from rotating into the closed position. 
     FIG. 5 is a front isometric cross-sectional view of remote actuator  78  connected to remote deadbolt assemblies  74  by means of cables  20 , installed on frame  36  and grating  40 , and safety pin  56 . A major benefit of this configuration is obviation of the need to enclose remote actuator  78  within a locked box  32 , and hence speedier quick-release grating unlocking. 
     Remote actuator  78  comprises actuator bar  11  which pivots on handle axle  14 , and comprises handle  12  on one side of handle axle  14 , and lever  16  on the other side of handle axle  14 . Cables  20  are attached to an extreme of lever  16  opposite handle  12 . The action of pulling on handle  12  has the effect of pivoting actuator bar  11  on handle axle  14  as indicated by arrow  15 , which in turn pulls cables  20  as indicated by arrows  17 , which causes deadbolts  22  to retract. When grating  40  is closed and locked in frame  36  as depicted in FIG. 5, deadbolts  22  extend through grating bores  41  and frame bores  37 . When handle  12  is pulled, cables  20  retract deadbolts  22  out of grating bores  41 , and permit grating  40  to open. Each cable of remote actuator  78  rides on two pulleys  18 : one whose pulley axis of rotation  21  is parallel to handle axle  14 , and one pulley  18  whose pulley axis of rotation  21  is perpendicular to handle axle  14 . 
     Actuator bar  11  is attached to deadbolts  22  by means of cables  20  carried on pulleys  18 . Deadbolts  22  comprise part of remote deadbolt assemblies  74 . Each remote deadbolt assembly  74  comprises remote deadbolt housing  75  having remote deadbolt housing bore  77  sized to slidably admit deadbolt  22 . Deadbolt stop  76  and annular deadbolt spring stop  29  are disposed at opposite extremes of remote deadbolt housing  75 . Deadbolt stop  76  is immobilized relative to remote deadbolt housing by means of lock pin  70  extending through remote deadbolt housing  75  into deadbolt stop  76 . Annular deadbolt spring stop  29  is immobilized relative to remote deadbolt housing  75  by means of lock pin  70  extending through remote deadbolt housing  75  into annular deadbolt spring stop  29 . 
     Deadbolts  22  are spring-loaded in the extended position depicted in FIG. 5 by means of deadbolt springs  24 . Deadbolt spring  24  is constrained in a compressed position between deadbolt spring stop  28  and E-clip  26 , which is installed on deadbolt  22 . E-clip  26  is a standard, off-the-shelf fastener which is made of stiffly resilient material. When a properly sized E-clip  26  is installed on deadbolt  22 , it will retain its axial position on deadbolt  22 , even under the urging of deadbolt spring  24 . Thus, compressed deadbolt spring  24  pushes against deadbolt spring stop  28  and E-clip  26 , thereby spring-loading deadbolt  22  into the extended position. 
     In operation, handle  12  is pulled, which pulls cables  20 , which in turn retract deadbolts  22 . Grating  40  may then be opened, and safety pin  56  prevents unwanted re-closing of same. 
     FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional view of an grating-mounted remote actuator  79  with spring-loaded deadbolts  22  installed on grating top member  45  and grating bottom member  47 . 
     The grating-mounted remote actuator  79  depicted in FIG. 6 comprises actuator bar  11  which pivots on handle axle  14 , and comprises handle  12  on one side of handle axle  14  and lever  16  on the other side of handle axle  14 . Cables  20  are attached to an extreme of lever  16  opposite handle  12 . As in the previous embodiments, the action of pulling on handle  12  has the effect of pivoting actuator bar  11  on handle axle  14 , which in turn pulls cables  20 , which causes deadbolts  22  to retract. When grating  40  is closed and locked in frame  36 , deadbolts  22  extend through grating bores  41  and frame bores  37 . When handle  12  is pulled, cables  20  retract deadbolts  22  out of frame bores  37 , and permit grating  40  to open. Each cable of the grating-mounted remote actuator  79  rides on one pulley  18  whose pulley axis of rotation  21  is parallel to handle axle  14 . 
     Actuator bar  11  is attached to deadbolts  22  by means of cables  20  carried on pulleys  18 . Deadbolts  22  are spring-loaded in the extended position depicted in FIG. 6 by means of deadbolt springs  24 . Deadbolt spring  24  is constrained in a compressed position between deadbolt spring stop  28  and E-clip  26 , which is installed on deadbolt  22 . The entirety of grating-mounted remote actuator  79  and deadbolt  22  assemblies, except for the protruding extremes of deadbolts  22  which engage frame bores  37 , may be locked within box  32  as is depicted in FIG. 6, to prevent unauthorized operation. 
     In operation, handle  12  is pulled, which pulls cables  20 , which in turn retract deadbolts  22 . Grating  40  may then be opened, and safety pin  56  prevents unwanted re-closing of same. 
     FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of transwall actuator  10 , whereby an interior remote actuator  78  (not depicted in FIG. 7, but one embodiment thereof is depicted in FIG. 5) may be employed to actuate externally mounted deadbolts  22 . Major benefits of the quick-release grating embodiment depicted in FIG. 7 include the provision of a fire escape route actuatable from the inside of a building even when grating  40  is mounted external to the building, as well as elimination of the need to enclose remote actuator  78  in a locked box  32 , thus providing faster grating  40  unlocking. 
     Transwall actuator  10  comprises exterior housing  84  connected to interior housing  82  by means of pipe  80 , and another pipe  80  connects interior housing  82  to remote actuator  78 . Exterior housing  84  is mounted to the outside of wall  86 ; interior housing  82  is mounted to the inside of wall  86 . Interior housing  82  comprises pulley  18  which carries cable  20 . Exterior housing  84  comprises pulley  18  which carries cable  20 . Exterior housing  84  further comprises deadbolt  22 , which is spring-loaded in the extended position depicted in FIG. 7 by means of deadbolt spring  24 . Deadbolt spring  24  is constrained in a compressed position between deadbolt spring stop  28  and E-clip  26 , which is installed on deadbolt  22 . Deadbolt stop  76  prevents over-extension of deadbolt  22 . E-clip  26  is a standard, off-the-shelf fastener which is made of stiffly resilient material. When a properly sized E-clip  26  is installed on deadbolt  22 , it will retain its axial position on deadbolt  22 , even under the urging of deadbolt spring  24 . Thus, compressed deadbolt spring  24  pushes against deadbolt spring stop  28  and E-clip  26 , thereby spring-loading deadbolt  22  into the extended position. 
     In operation, handle  12  in remote actuator  78  is pulled, which pulls cable  20  carried by interior housing pulley  18  and exterior housing pulley  18 , which in turn retracts deadbolt  22  out of grating bore  41 . Pipes  80  prevent interference and binding in cable  20 . Grating  40  may then be opened, and safety pin  56  prevents unwanted re-closing of same. FIG. 7 depicts a single transwall actuator  10  (which would work well by itself); in the preferred embodiment a pair of transwall actuators  10  was used, so as to provide actuation for two deadbolts  22 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, most components of quick-release grating were made of metal, plastic, synthetic, or other appropriate material. E-clip  26 , safety pin spring  66  and deadbolt spring  24  were standard, off-the-shelf components. Cable  20  was steel cable, nylon, synthetic, or other appropriate material, and pipe  80  was PVC pipe, galvanized or aluminum pipe, or other appropriate material. 
     It is important to note that while most quick-release grating embodiments disclosed herein teach two deadbolts  22 , any number of deadbolts  22  (along with their associated cable  20  carried by pulleys  18 , and remote deadbolt assemblies  74  if appropriate) may be employed, from a quantity of one on upwards, depending on the size and configuration of grating  40  to be locked. Deadbolts  22  may or may not extend completely through frame bore  37 . In addition, although FIG. 5 depicts lock pins  70  constraining deadbolt spring  24  and E-clip  26  within remote deadbolt housing bore  77 , it is contemplated that the instant invention embrace any appropriate method known within the art of so doing. 
     While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated herein, it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the appending claims. 
     Drawing Item Index 
       1  quick-release grating 
       2  actuator 
       4  U-handle actuator 
       10  transwall actuator 
       11  actuator bar 
       12  handle 
       14  handle axle 
       15  arrow 
       16  lever 
       17  arrow 
       18  pulley 
       19  arrow 
       20  cable 
       21  pulley axis of rotation 
       22  deadbolt 
       24  deadbolt spring 
       26  E-clip 
       28  deadbolt spring stop 
       29  annular deadbolt spring stop 
       30  deadbolt spring stop bore 
       32  box 
       34  box bore 
       36  frame 
       37  frame bore 
       38  frame aperture 
       40  grating 
       41  grating bore 
       42  bar 
       43  grating side member 
       44  grating hinge 
       45  grating top member 
       46  box door 
       47  grating bottom member 
       48  box door lock 
       50  box door hinge 
       52  U-handle 
       53  U-handle cross ban 
       54  U-handle leg 
       55  arrow 
       56  safety pin 
       57  arrow 
       58  safety pin housing 
       59  arrow 
       60  safety pin housing bore 
       62  safety pin housing slot 
       64  guide pin 
       66  safety pin spring 
       68  safety pin spring stop 
       70  lock pin 
       72  arrow 
       74  remote deadbolt assembly 
       75  remote deadbolt housing 
       76  deadbolt stop 
       77  remote deadbolt housing bore 
       78  remote actuator 
       79  grating-mounted remote actuator 
       80  pipe 
       82  interior housing 
       84  exterior housing 
       86  wall

Technology Classification (CPC): 4