US3706467A - Check rail lock - Google Patents

Abstract

A check rail window lock for a double hung window having a bottom sash and a top sash and including a catch means affixed to the bottom rail of the top sash. A two-part latch means selectively engages the catch means and is affixed to the top rail of the bottom sash by a mounting base. The latch means includes a first part movably mounted on the base for pivotal movement about an axis fixed vertically to the base to rotate the first part into and out of engagement with the catch means and for generally horizontal movement to draw the catch means toward the latch means after initial engagement therebetween. A second part of the latch means is pivotally mounted on the base and is operatively connected to the first part to permit said rotatable movement and to positively move the first part horizontally to lock and unlock the sashes.

Description

United States Patent Martin CHECK RAIL LOCK [72] Inventor: Jerry L Martin, Echo Heights,

Owatonna, Minn.

[73] Assignee: Truth Incorporated [22] Filed: March 12, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 123,879

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 789,556, Jan. 7, 1969,

abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. ..292/111, 292/113, 292/247,

292/D1G .20, 292/DlG. 47, 292/D1G. 49 [51] Int. Cl. ..E05c 5/00, E05c 9/14 [58] Field of Search ..292/109, 111, 113, 114, 247,

292/DIG. 20, DIG. 31, D10. 47, D10. 49

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,462,282 2/1949 Pickford; ..292/113 2,873,134 2/1959 Ahlgrennn, ..292/111 2,997,323 8/1961 Riser ..292/113 3,109,675 Anderson ..292/1l3 Dec. 19, 1972 7/1968 Martin ..292/113 9/1970 Trotter ..292/113 A check rail window lock for a double hung window having a bottom sash and a top sash and including a ABSTRACT catch means affixed to the bottom rail of the top sash.

A two-part latch means selectively engages the catch means andis affixed to the top rail of the bottom sash by a mounting base. The latch means includes a first part movably mounted on the base for pivotal move ment about an axis fiXed vertically to the base to rotate the first part into and out of engagement with the catch means and for generally horizontal movement to draw the catch means toward the latch means after initial engagement therebetween. A second part of the latch means is pivotally mounted on the base and is operatively connected to the first part to permit said rotatable movement and to positively move the first part horizontally to lock and unlock the sashes.

10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures a e l 45 CHECK RAIL LOCK This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 789,556, filed Jan. 7, 1969 and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a check rail window lock for use with double hung windows having adjacent upper and lowersashes. I

Heretofore, check rail window locks most often were of the toggle type such as that shown in the US. Pat. to Anderson No. 3,109,675, owned by the assignee of this invention, which has as one of its cooperating parts a narrow catch which is conveniently mounted upon-a narrow sash rail. The other part of the lock is comprised of a cap or lever portion and associated elements which cooperate with the catch in locking the-window. The cap has a toggle connection between it and a second sash rail to draw the catch toward the second sash to a locked position. With such locks, relative lateral movement between the two sashes cause the lock to become disengaged. One means for preventing disengagement of the toggle type window lock is shown in the US. Pat. to Martin No. 3,394,955, assigned to the assignee of this invention. The invention of this patent pertains to means for retaining the lock in its locked position to prevent the lock fromdisengaging on relative lateral movement between the two sashes. The retaining means is manually released and is associated with the cap or lever portion of the toggle lock to prevent the lock from becoming unlocked or disengaged on relative movement of the two sashes. The present invention pertains to a check rail lock which is manipulated similar to a toggle type window lock, but which does not employ a toggle connection and operates quite different. The unique construction of the lock is such as to prevent the lock from disengaging on relative movement between the two sashes, without employing individual retaining means such as that described above.

It is, therefore, the principal object of this invention to provide a new and improved check rail lock.

A further object of this invention is to provide a window lock of the' character described and including a two-part latch means affixed to the top rail of the bottom sash by a mounting base for selective engagement with a catch means adapted to be affixed to the bottom rail of the top sash. The latch means when in locked position lies generally horizontal in a plane generally normal to the planes of the upper and lower sashes and includes a first part movably mounted on the base for pivotal movement about an axis fixed vertically relative to the base to rotate the first part into and out of engagement with the catch means and for generally horizontal movement to draw the catch means toward the latch means after initial engagement therebetween. A second part is pivotally mounted on the base and is operatively connected to the first part to permit said rotatable movement and to positively move the first part horizontally to lock and unlock the sashes.

Another object of this invention is to provide a check rail window lock as set forth in the preceding paragraph wherein the first part of the latch means has a generally L-shapcd, slot having a horizontal portion extending generally perpendicular to the sashes and a vertical portion extending upwardly from one end of the horizontal portion, a first pin means fixed to the base and extending into the horizontal portion to permit horizontal movement of the first'part relative to the base to draw the sashes together, the first pin means comprising the pivot axis for the first part and bearing against the upper and lower sides of the horizontal slot portion to fix the pivot axis vertically, and a second pin means fixed to the second part of the latch means and extending into the vertical slot portion whereby pivotal movement of the second part causes the second pin means to bear against the vertical sides of said vertical slot portion and positively move the first part horizo n tally to'lock and unlock the sashes.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a check rail window lock as set forth in the preceding paragraph wherein the vertical portion of the L-shaped slot is tapered inwardly to prevent the second pin means from riding up the vertical portion and loosening the look when generally horizontal forces are exerted on the lock.

Still another object of'the invention is to provide a check rail window lock of the character described including means defining an upwardly facing abutment surface on the base and a downwardly facing abutment surfaceon the first .part of the catch means, the abutment surfaces being disposed between the first pin means and the point of engagement of the first part of the latch means and the catch means, the surfaces being in abutment when the'sashes are locked together whereby the abutting surfaces, the vertically fixed first pin means, and the catch means all cooperating to provide a three point block against movement of the top sash downwardly relative to the bottom sash.

Other objects and advantages oftheinvention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a check rail window lock embodying the invention, in association with a double hung window;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the lock of FIG. 1;

FIG, 3 is a central section taken generally along theline 34 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a section taken generally along the line 44 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view of the lock, similar to that of FIG. 3, with the lock totally out of engagement;

FIG. 6 is a view of the lock of FIG. 5 with the lock in a first position ofinitial engagement;

FIG. 7 is a view of the lock of FIG. 6 in a sequential position just prior to becoming wholly engaged and retained; and

FIG. 8 is a view of the lock of FIG. 7 in its wholly engaged and retained position, similar to that of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION While the invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail an embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exempliftcation of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated. The

scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

As shown in FIG. 3, the check rail window lock of the present invention is comprised of three major cooperating parts, namely, a latch means in the form of asplit cap, generally designated 12, which with its associated elements is mounted to the top surface of an upperhorizontalsash rail 14 of thelower sash 16 of a double hung window, a catch means, indicated generally at 18, which is adapted for mounting on a lower sash rail of theupper sash 22 of the double hung window, and amounting base plate 26.

The catch means 18 extends along thelowersash rail 20 and has anupright portion 28 terminating in anouter hook portion 28a inclined outwardly and upwardly away from thelower sash 16. The catch means is adapted to be affixed to the lowersash rail 20 of theupper sash 22 with theupright portion 28 extending upwardly from the bottom rail adjacent an inner'face 30 of theupper sash 22.

Themounting base plate 26 is adapted for mounting on theupper rail 14 of thelower sash 16 across from the catch means 18 and has anupright portion 31 extending along'theupper rail 14 of thelower sash 16. Theupright portion 31 conceals the interior of the lock when viewed from the rear, or from the right in FIG. 3. Integral with the base member areupright arms 34 rising from opposite ends of the base. Upon theupright arms 34 is pivotally mountedarear cap part 36 of thesplit cap 12, as at a pivot shaft or first pin means 38 extending transversely betweenarms 34. Therear part 36 of the split cap has a manually engageable exposedlip 39 for easy grasping to pivot therear cap part 36 aboutshaft 38. The rear cap part hasvertical arms 36a pivoted onshaft 38 and extending forwardly along the outside of afront cappart 40. Along its forward edge, thefront cap part 40 has a transverselocking hook portion 43 which engages the hook portion 28b of the catch means 18 to hook the window sashes together when the window is closed. as shown in FIGS. 3 and 8. Thehook portion 43 is inclined downwardly and rearwardly at the same angle as thehook portion 28a is inclined upwardly and outwardly. A second pin means oractuator shaft 45 is fixed to and extends transversely between thearms 36a of therear cap 36 for a purpose to be described hereinafter. Referring to both FIGS. 3 and 4, a torsion spring. generally designated 46, is wound aboutshafts 38 and 45 and has a lower-arm 46a bearing against the mountingbase plate 26 and an upper spring arm 46b bearing against the underside of thefront cap part 40 to urge the front cap part upwardly away frornthe catch means 18. As will become apparent hereinafter, thetorsion spring 46 and itsarms 46a, 46b help to urge theactuator shaft 45 to its seated position shown in FIGS. 3 and 8.

Thefront cap part 40 has dependingarms 48 at opposite sides thereof and positioned inside the forwardly extendingarms 36a of therear cap part 36,. Each of the dependingarms 48 of the front cap part has an I.- shaped slot, generally designated 50, which includesa generallyhorizontal portion 50a extending generally perpendicular to thesashes 16 and 22 and a generallyvertical portion 50b extending upwardly from the rear end of thehorizontal portion 50a. It should be understood that the terms horizontal and vertical used herein in reference to theslot portions 50a and 50b define the slot portions when the lock is in its various sequential positions of locking as shown, in FIGS. 1

through 4 and 6 through 8. FIG. 5 shows the lock in its inoperative, wholly disengaged position with the orientation of theslot portions 500 and 50b reversed from that in the other views. Thepivot shaft 38 which is affixed to and extends between thearms 36a of therear cap part 36 extends through thehorizontal portion 50a of the L-shaped slot. Thehorizontal slot portion 50a andthepivot shaft 38 provide a means for movably mounting the front cap 'part on thebase 26 for pivotal movement about an axis (shaft 38) fixed vertically relative to the base 26 to rotate thefront cap 40 into and out of engagement with the catch means 18 and for generally horizontal movement to draw the catch means 18 toward the latch means 36 after initial engagement therebetween. In other words, thehorizontal slot portion 50a permits thefront cap part 40 to move horizontally relative to thebase 26,rear cap part 36, andpivot shaft 38. However, thepivot shaft 38 bears against the upper and lower sides of thehorizontal slot portion 50a to fix the pivot axis vertically.

Actuator shaft 45, which is fixed to and extends between thearms 36a of therear cap part 36, is disposed in thevertical portion 50b of the L-shaped slot and comprises an operator for connecting the frontand rear cap parts to positively move the front cap part horizontally to lock and unlock the sashes. As shown particularly in FIGS. 6 and 7, as therear cap part 36 is pivoted aboutshaft 38, shaft bears against the sides of the vertical slotportion b to positively move thefront cap part 40 horizontally to lock and unlock the sashes.

The lower rear side 50c of thevertical slot portion 50b is inclined inwardly to prevent theshaft 45 from riding up thevertical slot portion 50b and loosening the lock when generally horizontal forces are exerted on the lock in an attempt to separate the sashes. In effect, the inclined portion 50c acts to tighten the lock when the sashes are urged apart. v

Theupstanding arms 34 of the base 36 are each provided with acamming surface 52 on which theactuator shaft 45 rides when the rear cap part '36 is pivoted aboutshaft 38. When the sashes are locked together as shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, theactuator shaft 45 bears against thecam surface 52 and is seated on an upwardly facingshoulder 54 of thebase 26.

Referring particularly to FIG. 8, thebase 26 is provided with an upwardly facingabutment surface 56, and the interior of thefront cap part 40 is provided withbeveled surfaces 58 to provide complementary downwardly facing abutment surfaces for engaging theabutment surface 56 on the base 26 when the sashes are locked together. These surfaces abut at point X (FIG. 8) and, in combination with the engagement at point Y of thehook portion 43 of thefront cap part 40 and thehook portion 28a of the catch means 18 and the engagement at point Z between thepivot shaft 38 and the lower edge of the horizontal slot portion 5011, provides a three point blocking means which physically blocks movement of thetop sash 26 downwardly in the direction of arrow A (FIGS. 3 and 8) relative to thebottom sash 16.

The locking operation of the check rail lock as above described is accomplished by grasping thelip 39 of therear cap part 36 of thesplit cap 12 when in its inoperative position shown in FIG. 5, tilting the cap forwardly aboutpivot shaft 38 in the direction of arrow B (FIG. 6) to permit thecap locking hook 43 to be extended over thecatch hook 28a. Then by applying downward pressure on therear cap part 36, as seen by arrow C in FIG. 7, cap lockinghook 43 andcatch hook 28a become engaged in a first position of locking, as illustrated in FIG. 7. A further downward pressure on the rear cap part in the direction of arrow D (FIG. 8) causes theforward cap part 40 to positively move horizontally and draw the catch means 18, and thesash 22 to which it is mounted, inwardly towardsash 16, with theabutment surface 58 on the underside of the front cap part seated on theabutmentsurface 56 of theupright arms 34 of the mountingbase plate 26 and with theactuator shaft 45 seated on theshoulder 54 of thebase 26. This locking engagement causes the opening between the adjacent sashes to become tightly closed and, because of the three point physical blocking structure as described above, thereby making tampering with the lock from without practically impossible and precludes dust or other elements from entering therethrough. It should be noted that thecap locking hook 43 and thecatch hook 28a, being slightly inclined, cause thefront cap part 40 to be drawn vertically downward slightly so that thesurfaces 56 and 58 on thebase 26 andfront cap part 40, respectively, are in abutment.

lclaim:

l. A lock for a double hung window having a bottom sash with a top rail and a top sash with a bottom rail, said lock including a catch means adapted to be affixed to the bottom rail of said top sash, a two-part latch means for selective engagement with said catch means, a m'ountingbase for the latch means adapted to be affixed to the top rail of said bottom sash, said latch means when in locked position lying generallyhorizontal in a plane generally normal to the planes of the upper and lower sashes and including a first part movably mounted on said base for pivotal movement andhaving a slot normal to said base with angularly related portions, a first pin on said base and mounted in said slot to define an axis fixed vertically relative to the base to enable the first part to rotate into and out of engagement with said catch means in a plane normal to said base and to enable generally horizontal movement to draw the sashes together after initial engagement between the catch means and latch means, and a second latch part pivotally mounted on said first pin and carrying a second pin movable in said slot to apply force in line with the horizontal movement of the first part to positively move said first part horizontally to lock the sashes as the second latch part pivots in a plane normal to said base.

2. The lock of claim 1 including means defining an upwardly facing abutment surface on said base and a downwardly facing abutment surface on the first part of said latch means. said surfaces being disposed between said axis and the point of engagement of said first part and said catch means, said surfaces being in abutment when said sashes are locked together whereby said abutting surfaces, said vertically fixed axis, and said catch means all cooperate to provide a three point block against movement of the top sash downwardly relative to the bottom sash.

3. The lock of claim 1 wherein at least the portion of said slot adjacent said second pin when said sashes are generally vertical portion extending upwardly from one end of said horizontal portion, said first pin extends into said horizontal portion to permit said horizontal movement of the first part relative to the base to draw the sashes together, and said second pin extends into said vertical slot portion whereby pivotal movement of said second part causes said second pin means to bear against the vertical sides of said vertical slot portion and positively move said first part horizontally to lock and unlock the sashes.

5. The lock of claim 4 wherein the vertical portion of said L-shaped slot adjacent said second pin when said sashes are locked together is tapered inwardly to prevent said second pin from riding up said vertical portion and loosening said lock when generally horizontal forces are exerted on the lock.

6. The lock of claim 4 wherein said base has means defining a camming surface on which said second pin rides as the second part of said latch means is pivoted to move the first part horizontally to lock and unlock the sashes.

7. A lock for a double hung window having a bottom sash with a top rail and a top sash-with a bottom rail, said lock including a catch means adapted to be affixed to the bottom rail of said top sash, a two-part latch means for selective engagement with said catch means, a mounting base for the latchmeans adapted to be affixed to the top rail of said bottom sash, said latch means when in locked position lying generally horizontal in a plane generally normal to the planes of the upper and lower sashes and including a first part movably mounted on said base for pivotal movement, a first pin and an elongate slot one on said base and the other on said first part defining an axis extending parallel and transversely to the base to enable the first part to rotate into and out of engagement with the catch means in a plane normal to said base and to enable generally horizontal movement to draw the sashes together after initial engagement between the catch means and latch means, and a second latch part pivotally mounted on said base and having a second pin, an elongate generally vertical cam surface on said first part engaged by said second pin whereby rotation of said second part in a plane normal to said base causes movement of the second pin along the cam surface to cause horizontal movement of the first part.

8. The lock of claim 7 wherein said cam surface is defined by an angularly related portion of said slot.

9. The lock of claim 8 wherein said first pin is on said base and the second latch part is pivoted to said first l060ll 0062 downwardly facing abutment Surface on the first part of said latch means, said surfaces being disposed between said axis and the point of engagement of said first part and said catch means, said surfacesbeing in abutment when said sashes are locked together whereby said

Claims (10)

1. A lock for a double hung window having a bottom sash with a top rail and a top sash with a bottom rail, said lock including a catch means adapted to be affixed to the bottom rail of said top sash, a two-part latch means for selective engagement with said catch means, a mounting base for the latch means adapted to be affixed to the top rail of said bottom sash, said latch means when in locked position lying generally horizontal in a plane generally normal to the planes of the upper and lower sashes and including a first part movably mounted on said base for pivotal movement and having a slot normal to said base with angularly related portions, a first pin on said base and mounted in said slot to define an axis fixed vertically relative to the base to enable the first part to rotate into and out of engagement with said catch means in a plane normal to said base and to enable generally horizontal movement to draw the sashes together after initial engagement between the catch means and latch means, and a second latch part pivotally mounted on said first pin and carrying a second pin movable in said slot to apply force in line with the horizontal movement of the first part to positively move said first part horizontally to lock the sashes as the second latch part pivots in a plane normal to said base.

2. The lock of claim 1 including means defining an upwardly facing abutment surface on said base and a downwardly facing abutment surface on the first part of said latch means, said surfaces being disposed between said axis and the point of engagement of said first part and said catch means, said surfaces being in abutment when said sashes are locked together whereby said abutting surfaces, said vertically fixed axis, and said catch means all cooperate to provide a three point block against movement of the top sash downwardly relative to the bottom sash.

3. The lock of claim 1 wherein at least the portion of said slot adjacent said second pin when said sashes are locked together, is tapered inwardly to prevent said second pin from riding up said slot and loosening said lock when generally horizontal forces are exerted on the lock.

4. The lock of claim 1 wherein said slot is generally L-shaped having a generally horizontal portion extending generally perpendicular to said sashes and a generally vertical portion extending upwardly from one end of said horizontal portion, said first pin extends into said horizontal portion to permit said horizontal movement of the first part relative to the base to draw the sashes together, and said second pin extends into said vertical slot portion whereby pivotal movement of said second part causes said second pin means to bear against the vertical sides of said vertical slot portion and positively move said first part horizontally to lock and unlock the sashes.

5. The lock of claim 4 wherein the vertical portion of said L-shaped slot adjacent said second pin when said sashes are locked together is tapered inwardly to prevent said second pin from riding up said vertical portion and loosening said lock when generally horizontal forces are exerted on the lock.

6. The lock of claim 4 wherein said base has means defining a camming surface on which said second pin rides as the second part of said latch means is pivoted to move the first part horizontally to lock and unlock the sashes.

7. A lock for a double hung window having a bottom sash with a top rail and a top sash with a bottom rail, said lock iNcluding a catch means adapted to be affixed to the bottom rail of said top sash, a two-part latch means for selective engagement with said catch means, a mounting base for the latch means adapted to be affixed to the top rail of said bottom sash, said latch means when in locked position lying generally horizontal in a plane generally normal to the planes of the upper and lower sashes and including a first part movably mounted on said base for pivotal movement, a first pin and an elongate slot one on said base and the other on said first part defining an axis extending parallel and transversely to the base to enable the first part to rotate into and out of engagement with the catch means in a plane normal to said base and to enable generally horizontal movement to draw the sashes together after initial engagement between the catch means and latch means, and a second latch part pivotally mounted on said base and having a second pin, an elongate generally vertical cam surface on said first part engaged by said second pin whereby rotation of said second part in a plane normal to said base causes movement of the second pin along the cam surface to cause horizontal movement of the first part.

8. The lock of claim 7 wherein said cam surface is defined by an angularly related portion of said slot.

9. The lock of claim 8 wherein said first pin is on said base and the second latch part is pivoted to said first pin.

10. The lock of claim 7 including means defining an upwardly facing abutment surface on said base and a downwardly facing abutment surface on the first part of said latch means, said surfaces being disposed between said axis and the point of engagement of said first part and said catch means, said surfaces being in abutment when said sashes are locked together whereby said abutting surfaces, said vertically fixed axis, and said catch means all cooperate to provide a three point block against movement of the top sash downwardly relative to the bottom sash.

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