US3124380A

US3124380A - carlston

Info

Publication number: US3124380A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1964-03-10
Anticipated expiration: 1981-03-10

Description

March l0, 1964 H. s. cARLsToN 3,124,380

DIRECTIONL` CONTROL APPARATUS FOR A MOVABLE CLOSURE MEMBER Filed Oct. 17, 1960 I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 10, 1964 H. s. cARLsToN 3,124,380

DIRECTIONAL CONTROL APPARATUS FOR A MOVABLE CLOSURE MEMBER Filed Oct. 17. 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 R5 5716 5 3 u 62 /q 5564 ,9AM/L 70N s. cARLsToN 5 35 /NVE/vmn Husa/VER a won/PEL A TTORNEVS March 10, 1964 s. cARLs'roN 3,124,380

H. DIRECTIONAL CONTROL APPARATUS FOR A MOVABLE CLOSURE MEMBER Filed Oct. 17, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 u f 2(3.15////20 //eaa /ml V f//QYM/ ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,124,380 DERECTGNAL CGNTRL APPARATUS FOR A MOVABLE CLSURE MEIVEER Hamiiton S. Carlston, 556 Tower Ave., Fresno, Calif. Filed st. 17, 1960, Ser. No. 62,905 9 Claims. (Cl. 292-163) The present invention relates to a directional control apparatus for a movable closure member and more particularly to a locking mechanism for limiting movement of a sliding window, door, or other closure member, toward open position and being operable to allow such movement only after the closure member is moved into fully closed position.

The subject patent application relates to the same general subject matter as that of my prior co-pending United States patent application Serial Number 2,879, tiled I anuary 18, 1960, now Patent No. 3,085,300. As is explained in said prior patent application, conventional sliding casement windows and doors normally have inadequate locking facilities. Stated otherwise, it is relatively easy for such windows and doors to be fully opened by burglars, or other unauthorized intruders, if they `are initially slightly opened, in order to obtain ventilation for example. Conventional locks or latches are unsatisfactory because an intruder simply reaches through such slight openings with his arm, or extends a specially made tool therethrough, and releases such conventional locking devices.

The described problem is solved by the teachings set forth in my prior patent application. When the mechanism described therein is locked, the window can be opened oniy a predetermined amount inadequate to permit entry of an intruder. More signiiicantly, however, the locking mechanism cannot be released while the window remains open. That is, the window must be closed before the locking mechanism can be released. Thus, nothing is gained by an intended intruder even if he does extend an arm or tool through a slightly open window in an effort to release the locking mechanism, and it is impossible completely to close the window while such an arm or tool is so extended. The present application relates to further developments in locking mechanisms of the type set forth in said prior application.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a directional control apparatus for :a sliding window, door, or other closure member.

Another object is to provide a locking mechanism for limiting movement of a sliding window, door, or other closure member toward open position and being operable to allow such opening movement only after the closure member is moved into a fully closed position.

Another object is to lessen the possibility of a burglar, or other unauthorized intruder, from gaining access to a building through a partially opened closure member for a build-ing.

Another object is to provide a locking mechanism of the nature described which is substantially entirely enclosed and has -a minimum of external working parts to be tampered with by such an unauthorized person.

Another object is to provide a directional control apparatus which prevents a closure member from being removed from its frame and which prevents removal of the locking mechanism, or related parts, in an effort to gain access to a building by disabling the locking mechanis-rn.

Other objects are to provide a mechanism of the type described which is readily adapted to Various conventional sliding closures, which can be operated in any attitude or orientation, which is simple and economical to make and use, durable in construction, :and highly effective for accomplishing its intended purposes.

These, together 'with other objects, will become more Cce fully apparent upon reference to the following `description and accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a building Wall in which is mounted a sliding easement type window including inner and outer sashes and incorporating a control 'apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, somewhat enlarged, side elevation of la portion of the structure shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a transverse cross-section taken on line 3 3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross-section taken on line 4-4 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is Ia fragmentary, somewhat enlarged, vertical section taken on line 5-5 in FIG. 3 and showing the locking mechanism in a fully closed position of the inner sash, the latter position being illustrated in FIG. l, but with the locking mechanism in an unlocked position.

FIG. k6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 with the locking mechanism in the position `assumed when the inner sash is slightly opened, but with the locking mechanism in a locked position.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIGS. 5 and 6` but with the parts of the locking mechanism in still different positions when the inner sash is opened to a greater extent than that represented by FIG. 6, and with the locking mechanism in unlocked position.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, side elevation of -a portion of a sliding window of the type shown in FIG. l but illustra-ting a second form of control apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, somewhat enlarged, vertical section taken on line 9 9 in FIG. 8.

FIG. l0 is a vertical, longitudinal section taken on line 10-10 in FIG. 9 with the locking mechanism shown in an unlocked position when the inner sash is in a ful-ly closed position.

FIG. l1 is a view similar to FIG. l0 with the locking mechanism shown in locked position when the inner sash is open.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, a wall 15 is partially illustrated in FIG. l. A window frame 16 is supported in the wall and circumscribes a window opening 17. In a manner well-known, inner and outer '

window sashes

19 and 20, respectively are -mounted in the frame with the inner sash being slidably movable between open and closed posit-ions. The sashes have upper yand

lower edges

25 and 26, and respective left and

right side edges

28 and 29. It is to be understood that designation of these edges -as being upper and lower and left and right is for convenience in describing the subject invention but does not limit the invention to such orientation of the sashes.

A locking mechanism, generally identified by the numeral 30, includes an elongated track 35 having a mounting plate 36 secured to the window Iframe 16 underneath the lower edges 26 of the sashes 19 'and 20 by means of screws 37. The track also includes a substantially horizontal ratchet plate 38 integrally, outwardly extended from the mounting plate yand also adjacent to the lower edges of the sashes. The track has left and

right end portions

40 and 41 extended along the lower edge 26 of the outer sash and along the lower edge of the inner sash when the inner sash is completely closed. Both end portions have arcuately, downwardly extended flanges 42 integral with the ratchet plate. It is also to be noted in the illustrated embodiment that the right portion of the track terminates relatively close toy the left side edge 28 of the inner sash when the latter is in `fully closed position; as will be seen, however, the invention -is not limited to this specic location.

With further reference to the track 35, the mounting mon plane with the left edge 28 of the inner sash. may be necessary to provide shims 66 between the rear plate 3S has a plurality of tongues 46 struck downwardly therein so as to provide `a plurality of locking notches 47 in substantially equally longitudinally spaced relation along the ratchet plate. The ratchet plate thus has -a plurality of substantially vertical edges 48 in each of the notches `as more clearly shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7.

The locking mechanism lalso lincludes a substantially rectangular body 56 having front and

rear surfaces

57 and 58, respectively, upper and lower surfaces 69 and 61, respectively, and side surfaces 62. The body is releasably, rigidly connected to the inner sash19` at the junction of the lower edge 26 and the left vside edge 28, as best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. For this purpose mounting screws 64 are extended 'through the body from the front surface tothe rear surface thereof and thence into the inner sash. When secured in this manner, the lower surface of the body is in upwardly spaced, substantially parallel relation to Athe ratchet plate 38 of the track 35. Also, one -of the side surfaces 62 is in a substantially comsurface 58 of the body and the inner sash in order properly to position the lower surface of the body in upwardly opposed relation to the ratchet plate. It is to be noted that the body can be attached to the sash anywhere along the lower edge v26 between

side edges

28 and 29 as long as the body is generally over the right end portion 41 of the track in the closed position of the sash.

As best seen in FIG. 3, a guard includes a mounting ange 71 secured to the lower surface 61 of the body 56 by a pair of guard screws 72 lupwardly extended through the mounting flange and into the body. The mounting flange has a pair of longitudinally spaced

apertures

73 and 74 therein. As seen in FIG. 3, the guard also provides a downwardly and thence inwardly extended limiting flange 76 in downwardly spaced, opposed relation to 'the ratchet plate and on the opposite sides thereof from the body. Further, ashielding flange 78 is vintegrally downwardly extended from the limiting flange in opposed relation to the mounting plate 36 of'the'track 35, for a purpose to be described.

Referring to FIGS. 4 through 7, the body 56 has a first or left cavity bored upwardly therein so as to provide an axis which is substantially normal to the ratchet plate 38. Thecavity has a lower opening 86 in registration with the aperture 73 in the mounting flange 71 but slightly diametrically larger than this aperture. The first cavity also has an upper wall 37 and a cylindrical side wall 88. The body also provides a second or right cavity 90 having a cylindrical side wall 91 circumscribing an axis parallel to the axis of the left cavity, an upper wall 92, and a lower opening 93 in registration with the aperture 74 and is likewise slightly diametrically larger than this aperture. The first and second cavities are in axially spaced relation to each other. Further the axes of the cavities are in a common vertical plane with each other and with an imaginary plane extended longitudinally of the ratchet plate 38 in bisecting relation to the locking notches 47.

The body 56 also has an elongated, generally cylindrical passageway 97 intermediate the first and

second cavities

85 and 90 and providing upper and lower concave walls 98 and 99 concentric to an 'axis upwardly spaced from the ratchet plate 358 and extended transversely thereof. The axis of the passageway is also in perpendicular relation to the axes of the cavities. The passageway provides a front opening 100 in the front 'surface 57 of the body, a left orifice 102 opening into the rst cavity, and a right orifice 103 opening into the second cavity. The lower wall has a tip 104 adjacent to the second cavity.

With particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, the body 56 has a slot 110 in the front surface V57 thereofV generally radially outwardly extended from the front opening 100 of the passageway 97. The slot is defined by vertically spaced, upper and lower edges 112 and 113.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 5 and 6, a generally cylindrical, looking pawl is axially slidably fitted in the first cavity 85 and includes spaced upper and

lower sections

122 and 123 diametrically fitted to the first cavity and thus slidably engaging the side wall 88 thereof. The locking pawl has an annular, V-shaped groove or notch 125 intermediate the upper and lower sections and in a plane passing between the upper and lower walls 98 and 99 of the passageway 97. Additionally, the locking pawl 'has a locking pin 127 integral with the lower section, axially downwardly extended through the opening 86 vand aperture 73, and being diametrically smaller than the aperture 73 as well as the locking notches 47 in the ratchet plate 38. The upper section of the locking pawl is in endwardly opposed relation to the upper wall 87 in the first cavity. The locking pawl is axially reciprocal in the first cavity between a lower locking position with 'the locking pin extended downwardly through the aperture 73 linto slidable engagement with the ratchet plate 38, or fitted downwardly into one of the locking notches 47 when the pin is in vertical alignment with such a notch. With the locking pawl in said locking position, the upper section of the pawl is downwardly spaced a predetermined distance from the upper wall of the cavity. A coiled lock control, compression spring 129 of predetermined strength is interposed between the upper wall of the first cavity and the upper section of the locking -pawl and yieldably urges the pawl into its locking position. It is further to be noted that the lower section of the locking pawl engages the mounting fiange 71 of the guard 70 around the aperture 73 and limits movement of the pawl downwardlyin said locking position. The spring is yieldable, however, to permit axial movement of the locking pawl upwardly within the cavity into an unlocked position wherein the locking pin is above the ratchet plate. Actually, it is preferable that the lower surface of the locking pin be retracted above the mounting fiange 71. However, all that is required is that the lower surface of the locking pin be above a plane precisely coincident with the upper surface of the ratchet plate.

A latch includes an elongated shank 136 of substantially square cross-section having diagonally related latching and locking,

corner projections

138 and 139. These projections are spaced from each other by a distance greater than the width of the web 141i of the body in which the passageway 97 is provided. That is, the distance referred to is the minimum spacing between the side walls 8S and 91 on the

cavities

85 and 90. The latch also has front and rear bearing portions 142, best seen in FIG. 4, at opposite ends of the shank and rotatably journaled in the body 56 so that the shank is coaxial with the axis of the passageway. A handle 143 is secured to the front bearing portion and is located externally of the body for rotating the shank in the passageway. The handle has oppositely extended ears 145 radially outwardly extended from thebearing portion. A stud 147 is rigidly endwardly extended from the handle into the slot 11). The latch is movable in the passageway 97 between an unlatched position with the latching and blocking projections disposed within the passageway and respectively engaging the upper and lower walls 98 and 99 of the passageway and with the ears 145 of the handle individually overlaying the mounting screws 64, all as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, and a latching position with the latching projection 138 extended into the first cavity 85 and with the blocking projection 139 extended into the second cavity 90, as best seen in FIGS. 5 or 7. It is to be noted however, by reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, that the latching projection 138 can extend into the first cavity only when the groove 125 of the locking pawl 120 is disposed adjacent to the upper wall 98 of the passageway. The groove is in this location when the locking pawl is in its unlocked, retracted position, as in FIG. 7. Thus, the latch cannot move into latching position until the locking pawl is first moved into unlocked position in a manner to be described more fully hereinafter.

An elongated, generally cylindrical, telescopic, latch control member 155 is axially slidably fitted in the second cavity 90. This control member includes an upper section 157 having an upper end 15S in opposed relation to the upper wall 92 of the second cavity, a lower end 159, an annular channel 160 between the upper and lower ends, and an elongated bore 161 opening downwardly in coaxial relation to the second cavity as well as to the aperture '74. The latch control member also includes a lower section 163` including a male litting 165 axially slidably received in the bore 161, an annular shoulder 167 diametrically larger than the aperture 7d but slidably fitted to the second cavity, and a lower bearing portion 168 slidably itted in the aperture 74 but being diametrically larger than the locking notches $7 in the ratchet plate 38. A main latch control spring 172, of predetermined strength substantially equal to that of the lock control spring 129, is interposed between the upper end 158 of the latch control member and the upper wall 92 of the second cavity. Also, an auxiliary latch control spring 175 of greater strength although diametrically smaller than the main latch control spring, is disposed in the bore 161 between the upper section of the upper control member and the male fitting 165 of the lower section of the latch control member. The latch control member is thus mounted for axial reciprocal movemen in the second cavity. The control member has a blockin4 position with the lower end 159 of the upper sectioy engaging the web 140 in continuous upward extensic from the tip 14M of the lower wall 99 of the passageway 97, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. The lower end 159 is the path of movement of the blocking projection 139 of the latch 135 so as to preclude its movement out of the passageway into the second cavity. With the bearing portion 163 of the lower section of the latch control member riding on the ratchet plate 33, the control member is held upwardly in said blocking position. It is also to be noted that because of the diameter of the bearing portion, the latter does not drop into the locking notches 47 when the bearing portion is in vertical alignment with such notches. The latch control member also has a latch release position with the channel 169 ernbracing the right oriiice 193 and with the lower end of the upper section 167 downwardly retracted from its position of extension upwardly from the tip. The control member is in a release position when the bearing portion rides downwardly oit from the ratchet plate 3S along the end flange 42 so as to allow the main and auxiliary springs 172 and 17S to urge the upper and lower sections of the latch control member downwardly and the shoulder 1617 against the iiange 71. In this releasing position, it is evident by reference to FiGS. 5 and 6 that the latch control member is out of the path of movement of the blocking projection so as to allow the same to extend into the second cavity assuming, of course, that the latching projection 135 can move into the iirst cavity 85, as discussed above.

Operation rI'he operation of the described embodiment of the subject invention is believed to be apparent and is brieiiy summarized at this point.

Assuming that the inner sash 19 is in its fully closed position, as illustrated in FIGS. l and 5, the body 56 is so related to the track 35 that the locking pawl 120 is urged upwardly in the iirst cavity 85 inasmuch as the locking pin 127 is not in a locking notch 47 and is riding upwardly on the ratchet plate 3S. Further, in this position, the bearing portion 168 of the latch control member 155 is extended downwardly from the mounting iiange 71 and is in endwardly spaced relation to the track. If it is desired to obtain ventilation through the window opening 17 Without the intrusion of unauthorized persons, the latch is rotated into unlatched position wherein the ears overlay both of the mounting screws 64. Actually, the ears are then in substantially common horizontal planes, this serving as a convenient manner of quickly determining the position of the latch.

The inner sash 19 is then slid toward the left, as viewed in FIG. l, to open the window. This moves the body 56 to the left along and over the ratchet plate 38. Inasrnuch as the latching projection 138 is within the passageway 97, the locking pawl 120 is free to be urged into its locking position by the look control spring 129. When the locking pin 127 is in vertical alignment with one of the notches 47 in the ratchet plate, the spring 129 urges the pin downwardly into the notch and thus against the upright edge 4S thereof. This precludes further opening of the inner sash.

After the sash 19 has been opened by an amount sufcient to provide an opening between the right side edge 29 of the inner sash and the adjacent edge of the frame 16, the bearing portion 168 of the latch control member 155 engages the ratchet plate 38 and continued opening movement of the inner sash urges the latch control member upwardly in its second cavity 9i) into its blocking position, as illustrated in FIG. 6. As long as the bearing portion 163 rides on the ratchet plate, the latch control member is maintained in its blocking position. As long as the inner sash is open, it is impossible to move the latch 135 into its latching position, and even if the locking pawl 12th is retracted upwardly within its first cavity 85, it cannot be maintained in this retracted or unlocked position since the latch cannot move into latching position.

In order to enable movement of the inner sash 19 into a fully opened position or to enable free and unrestricted sliding of the sash between open and closed positions, and with reference to FIG. 5, it is necessary rst to move the inner sash into completely closed position. As explained above, when in such closed position, the latch control member moves into its releasing position since the bearing portion 16S is extended downwardly from the body 56 and is endwardly spaced from the ratchet plate 38. The latch 135 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction to move the latching projection 13S into the groove 125 of the locking pawl. It is understood, of course, that in this closed position of the inner sash, the looking pin 127 is in its uppermost position riding on the ratchet plate 3S so that the locking pawl is fully retracted within the iirst cavity 85 in its unlocked position. Simultaneously, the blocking projection 139 is extended into the second cavity 9E) inasmuch as the channel 169 is in a position to receive the blocking projection. The inner sash 19 is freely movable into any open position desired inasmuch as the locking pin 127 is held above the ratchet plate 38 and cannot drop into any of the locking notches 47. The auxiliary latch control spring yields to permit movement of the bearing portion 168 upwardly onto the ratchet plate 38 during opening of the inner sash and sliding movement of the inner sash between the opened and closed positions over the ratchet plate.

lf it is desired to lock the window in any of its open positions, the handle 143 is rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGS l and 2. Referring to FIG. 7, the latching projection 138 applies force axially upwardly against the upper section 122 of the locking pawl 120 whereupon the lock control spring 129 yields to allow the latching projection 138 to move into the passageway 97. Simultaneously, the blocking projection 139 applies force downwardly against the lower end 159 of the latch control member 155 whereupon the auxiliary latch control spring 175 yields to permit the upper section 157 of the latch control member to move downwardly and thereby allow the blocking projection 139 to move back into the passageway. Inasmuch as the bearing portion 16S is riding on the ratchet plate 38, the main and auxiliary springs 172 and 175 position the upper section 157 of the latch control member in its blocking position. Of course, the lock control spring 129 urges the locking pin 127 downwardly against the ratchet plate 33. Therefore, as soon as the locking pin is aligned with a notch 47, it drops into the notch and the locking pin engages the respective vertical edge 43 so as to prevent further opening of the inner sash. As is now believed evident, the window .cannot be unlocked as long as it is in an open position so that any unauthorized intruder cannot extend his hand, or a tool, not shown, through an opening between the right side edge 29 of the inner sash and the frame 16 and unlock the mechanism 39 by rotating the handle.

Further precautions against tampering with the subject mechanism include the guard 7d. It is noted that the shielding flange 7S covers the mounting screws 6d so yas to prevent an unauthorized intruder from unthreading all of the screws and removing the track 35. As is conventional with windows of this type, the inner sash 19 is fitted in the frame 16 so as to enable removal by lifting it upwardly in the frame and thence by pulling the lower edge 26 out of the frame. However, the existence of the limiting flange 76 below the ratchet plate 3S of the track precludes such upward movement of the inner sash.

Second Form A second form of the subject invention is illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and ll. With reference to FIG. 8, a portion of a window frame, similar to frame 16, is generally indicated by the numeral 216. Inner and outer sashes 219 and 22d are mounted in the frame with inner sash being slidable between open and closed positions. The window construction is of the type illustrated in FIG. l and, therefore, it not described in any further detail in connection with the second form of this invention.

The locking mechanism of the second form of the present invention includes an elongated track 235 having a mounting flange 236 secured by screws 237 to the frame 216 adjacent to the lower edges of the inner and

Outer sashes

219 and 220. A track also has a locking plate 23S rigidly outwardly extended in a perpendicular relation from the mounting flange. The locking plate has downwardly arcuate left and right ends 240 and 241, and substantially fiat, upper and

lower surfaces

24,3 and 244.

The second form of locking mechanism also provides a substantially rectangular body 256 secured to the lower left corner of the inner sash 219 in laterally overhanging relation to the locking plate 238, as before. The body 256 is constructed essentially the same as the body 56 of the first form of the invention. Accordingly, the parts of the body 256 corresponding to parts of the body 56 are identified by numeral with a minimum of additional description. Thus, the body 256 has front and

rear surfaces

257 and 258, an upper surface 26?, a lower surface 261, and side surfaces 262. The body is secured to the sash by mounting screws 264. Also, a guard 276 includes a mounting iiange 271 secured to the lower surface of the body by screws 272 and providing apertures 2'73 and 274, a limiting flange 276 providing holes 277, and a shield flange 27S. The body 256 also has a first or left cavity 285 providing a lower opening 287, and a left side wall 28S; and a second or right cavity 299 providing a lower opening 293, a cylindrical side wall 291, and an upper wall 292. The body 256 further provides a passageway 297 between the

cavities

285 and 29@ and left and right orifices 362 and 393 respectively providing communication between the passageway and the first and second cavities.

A latch 335 identical in construction and operation to the latch 135 is rotatably mounted in the passageway297. .A latch control member 355 identical in construction and operation of the latch control member is axially slidably fitted in the second cavity 290.

In addition to the specific construction of the track 235, the second form of the locking mechanism differs essentially in providing a locking pawl 46) having a top face 401, a left side face 452, a right side face 463 in which is provided an upper groove 404, spaced upper and lower gripping jaws 4% and 467, respectively, and an elongated bore 4tlg inwardly extended from the left face. The locking pawl is supported in the first cavity 285 for pivotal movement on a pin 410 extended through the pawl and journaled in the body 256 transversely of the first cavity. The pin is also disposed transversely of the path of movement of the inner sash 219 and of the locking plate 23S of the track 235. The gripping jaws extend downwardly through the opening 286 of the first cavity and the aperture 273 in the mounting flange 271. More specically, the gripping jaws are in spaced, substantially parallel relation to each other and receive the locking plate therebetween with the upper and lower jaws being respectively opposed to the upper and

lower surfaces

243 and 244 to the locking plate. The jaws define a slot therebetween having a depth or dimension normal to the locking plate, when the jaws are parallel thereto, which dimension is slightly greater than the thickness of the locking plate. Further, the jaws have opposite left and right end edges 415 and 416, respectively, as viewed in PIG. l1.

The locking pawl lit) is pivotal between an unlocked position wherein the top face 46]. is against the upper wall 257 of the first cavity 285, wherein the left face 462 is against the left side wall 238, and wherein the upper and lower gripping jaws 4% and 4557 are precisely parallel to the upper and

lower surfaces

243 and 244 of the locking plate 293. Preferably, these gripping jaws are slightly spaced above andbelow the described upper and lower surfaces. With the latch 335 in latching position, the latching projecting 338 thereof fits into the groove 464 and holds the vpawl in unlocking position.

However, a coiled compression spring 420 is fitted in the bore 46S in the pawl 400 and bears against the left side wall 238 of the cavity 285 thereby yieldably urging the pawl into a locked position. In the locked position of the pawl, the upper and lower gripping jaws 466 and 4x37 are in slightly acute, angular relation to the locking -plate 233 and thus to the upper and

lower surfaces

243 and 244 thereof. More specifically, the right end edge 416 of the lower jaw and the left end edge 415 of the upper jaw are in contact with their respective upper and lower surfaces of the locking plate while the opposite end of these jaws are in spaced relation to their respective upper and lower surfaces.

In operation of the second form of the subject invention, the latch 335 and the latch control member 355 operate precisely as before and serve the same functions as their corresponding parts in the first form of the present invention. If it is desired to move the inner sash 219 freely between the fully opened and fully closed positions, it is necessary first to close the inner sash completely so as to allow the latch control member 355 to become disengaged from the locking plate 233, as illustrated in FIG. 10. In this position, the latch 335 can be rotated into a latching position wherein it urges the locking pawl 400 into an unlocked position with the gripping jaws 406 and 4617 in parallel relation with the locking plate 238. Thereupon, the inner sash is moved toward fully open position without restriction. That is, the upper and lower gripping jaws simply move along the locking plate without gripping the same or impeding movement of the sash. Of course, the latch control member 355 rides up on the locking plate and therealong during opening movement of the inner sash.

If it is desired to lock the inner sash 219 against opening movement, the latch 335 is turned into its unlatched position, as shown in FIG. 1l. The latch control member 355 allows this turning of the latch, in the same manner as described in connection with the iirst form of the invention whether the inner sash is fully closed or is open. However, when the latching projection 338 moves out of the iirst cavity 285, the spring 42@ urges the locking pawl 40u into its locldng position. lf a force is applied to the inner sash 219 tending to move the sash farther open, the left upper end edge 415 of the upper gripping jaw 406 and the lower right end edge 416 of the lower gripping jaw 407 grip or bind against the locking plate 238 and preclude movement of the inner sash in the described opening direction. If the inner sash is moved toward the closing position, these end edges simply slide over the locking plate and no gripping occurs. As with the lirst form of the invention, the latch 335 cannot be rotated into a latching position while the latch control member 355 is riding on the track 235. Thus, it is necessary to close the inner sash completely before the locking mechanism can be released to allow free and unrestricted movement of the inner sash between open and closed positions. It is to be observed that the upper and lower gripping jaws 466 and 497 also serve to prevent removal of the inner sash from the frame 216 by lifting the inner sash out of the frame.

The guard 270 has the same functions as the guard 7 ti and, in addition, prevents an unauthorized intruder from holding the locking pawl 4% in an unlocked position since the pawl is always enclosed or covered by the guard. It is also to be noted that the holes 277 are provided to enable access to the guard screws 272 to facilitate assembly and disasembly of the guard and body 256.

From the foregoing, it is evident that a directional control apparatus for a sliding window, door, or other closure member, has been provided which limits movement of the closure member toward open position when the locking mechanism is in a locked position. This prevents an unauthorized intruder from opening the closure member far enough to gain access through the opening provided by the closure member and its surrounding frame. In order to unlock the mechanism and allow free and unrestricted opening and closing of the closure member, it is first necessary to move the closure member into a fully closed position. This makes it impossible for an intruder on the outside of the building to unlock the mechanism. In addition, the apparatus provides auxiliary features which protect the main locking mechanism from -being disabled through disassembly, disconnection from the mounting frame or support, and the like.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a locking mechanism including a body having spaced iirst and second cavities interconnected by a passageway; a locking member mounted in said first cavity for movement between predetermined locked and unlocked positions and having a notch facing said passageway; a latch having oppositely extended latching and blocking projections, the latch being rotatably mounted in the passageway for movement between a latching position with the latching projection extendible into the notch of the locking member when the latter is in unlocked position and with the blocking projection extended into said second cavity, and an unlatched position with both of said projections retracted into the passageway; and latch control means mounted in said second Cavity for movement between a blocking position opposite to said passageway in the path of movement of said blocking projection to block exit of said blocking projection from the passageway and a retracted position out of said path.

2. A locking mechanism adapted for use in limiting relative movement between a rectangular support and a sash mounted therein for movement along a predetermined path between open and closed positions, said locking mechanism comprising an elongated track adapted to be mounted on the support longitudinally of said path of movement of the sash; a body adapted to be borne by the sash for movement therewith in juxtaposition to the track; a locking member mounted in the body for movement between a locking position engaging the track and precluding movement of the sash toward open position and an unlocked position retracted from said locking position; means in the body engaging and yieldably urging the locking member toward locking position; a latch rotatably journaled in the body for movement in a predetermined path of rotation between a latching position contacting the locking member and holding it in unlocked position and an unlatched position retracted from said latching position; a latch control member slidably tted in the body for movement between a blocking position engaging the track while the sash is in open position and being held in the path of movement of the latch by the track, and a releasing position disengaged from the track when the sash is in closed position and being out of said path of the latch; and means in the body engaging and yieldably urging the control member into releasing position.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the track has a plurality of notches therein spaced from each other longitudinally of said path; wherein the locking member includes a pawl slidably mounted in the body for reciprocal movement along an axis substantially normal to the track and in a common plane with said notches between said locking position adapted to extend into selected notches upon alignment therewith and said unlocked position withdrawn from said notches; wherein the pawl has a groove therein; and wherein the latch has a latching projection releasably litted in the groove of the pawl when the pawl is in unlocked position and the latch is in latching position.

4. The combination of claim 2 wherein the track is an elongated plate disposed in a plane substantially parallel to said path of movement of the sash, wherein the locking member is an elongated pawl pivotally mounted in the body for pivotal movement on an axis substantially normal to said path of movement of the sash between said locking and unlocking positions, wherein the pawl has upper and lower jaws in spaced parallel relation to each other and receiving the plate therebetween, said jaws having opposite end edges, the jaws further being precisely parallel to the plate and slidable thereover when the pawl is in unlocked position, said jaws being in acute angular relation to the plate in said locking position wherein an opposite end edge of each of the upper and lower jaws grips the plate therebetween when the sash is moved toward open position thereby to preclude such movement, and wherein said edges release said plate and slide thereover during movement of the sash toward closed position.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein the pawl has a groove disposed toward the latch; and wherein the latch has a latching projection releasably fitted in the groove of the pawl when the pawl is in unlocked position and the latch is in latching position.

6. The combination of claim 2 wherein the latch has a blocking projection movable in said path of rotation;

Y wherein the control member has a blocking portion and a channel recessed therefrom, the blocking portion being in the path of movement of the blocking projection when the control member is in said blocking position, and said channel being adapted to receive the blocking projection to permit movement thereof when the control member is in said releasing position.

with the sash for mounting the body on the sash; and wherein the latch includes a handle in opposed relation to the body and in covering relation to said fasteners when the latch is in unlatched position.

8. A locking mechanism adapted for use with a support having an elongated track mounted thereon longitudinally of a predetermined path of movement and bearing a mounting member for reciprocal movement in opposite directions along the track, said locking mechanism comprising a body connected to the mounting member in opposed relation to the track and having iirst and second cavities therein, each cavity having a side Wall circumscribing an axis substantially normal to the track and an upper wall substantially normal to its respective axis, said cavities being in axially spaced, substantially parallel relation to each other and having lower openings opposite to their inner walls, said openings being in closely spaced relation to the track, the body also having a generally cylindrical passageway therein providing fractional cylindrical, concave side walls substantially concentric to an axis disposed transversely of and intermediate the axes of the cavities, the body further having rst and second oriiices providing communication between the passageway and each cavity; a substantially square latch rotatably iitted in the passageway having diagonally related corners spaced from each other substantially the same distance as the diameter of the passageway and slidably engaging the side walls of the passageway, the latch being rotatable in the passageway between a latching position with a pair of diagonally related latching and blocking corners respectively extended into the first and second cavities, respectively, and an unlatched position with all of the corners retracted into the passageway; a latch control member including an upper section axially slidably iitted in the second cavity having spaced upper and lower end portions providing a channel therebetween and being movable axially in the second cavity between a blocking posi- -tion with the lower end portion in the path of movement of said blocking corner to preclude movement of the latch into latching position, and a releasing position with the channel embracing the second orifice to receive said blocking corner and to permit movement of the latch into its latching position, the control member also including a -lower section telescopically slidably connected to the upper section and extended through the opening of the rsecondcavity for engagement with the track during movement of the body relative to the track; a main spring interposed between the upper section of the control member and the upper Wall of the second cavity for yieldably urging said upper section into releasing position; an auxiliary spring interposed between the upper section and the lower section for yieldably urging the lower section against the track and the upper section into said blocking position when the lower section is in engagement with the track, said main spring being weaker than the auxiliary spring to permit such movement of the upper section into blocking position; a locking pawl mounted in the first cavity, extended through the opening of the iirst cavity, and being movable between a locking position engaging the track and precluding movement of the body relative to the track and an unlocked position retracted from said locking position, the pawl having a groove adapted to receive the locking corner of the latch when the pawl is in unlocked position and the latch is moved into latching position whereby the latch releasably holds the pawl in unlocked position; and a lock control spring interposed between the body and the pawl for yieldably urging the pawl into locking position.

9. A directional control apparatus comprising an elongated track member having spaced opposite ends defining a predetermined length; a mounting body adapted for longitudinal movement relative to said track member, the range ot said movement including a first portion extending longitudinally beyond one of said ends; locking means carried by the body and adapted for engagement with said track member and including means permitting only uni-directional movement between said track member and said locking means; latch means carried by the body and operable selectively to disable said locking means to permit unrestricted relative longitudinal movement between said track member and said locking means; a latch control means carried by the body and adapted to engage said track member throughout a predetermined second portion of said range of relative movement, and when in such engagement normally preventing movement of said latch means, said latch control means being shiftable to a disabling position when the body is in said first portion of the range of movement; and means urging said latch control means in a direction toward said track member and operable to move said latch control means to a disabling position when said body is positioned in said first portion of the range of relative movement beyond said one of said ends of the track member so that selective movement of said latch means is permitted.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 643,400 Comstock Feb. 13, 1900 2,018,281 Roberts Oct. 22, 1935 2,755,519 Xander Tuly 24, 1956 2,793,896 Duvall May 28, 1957 2,842,951 Duvall `luly 15, 1958 2,883,227 Hofe Apr. 21, 1959 2,952,883 Kessler et al Sept. 20, 1960

Claims

9. A DIRECTIONAL CONTROL APPARATUS COMPRISING AN ELONGATED TRACK MEMBER HAVING SPACED OPPOSITE ENDS DEFINING A PREDETERMINED LENGTH; A MOUNTING BODY ADAPTED FOR LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID TRACK MEMBER, THE RANGE OF SAID MOVEMENT INCLUDING A FIRST PORTION EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY BEYOND ONE OF SAID ENDS; LOCKING MEANS CARRIED BY THE BODY AND ADAPTED FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID TRACK MEMBER AND INCLUDING MEANS PERMITTING ONLY UNI-DIRECTIONAL MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID TRACK MEMBER AND SAID LOCKING MEANS; LATCH MEANS CARRIED BY THE BODY AND OPERABLE SELECTIVELY TO DISABLE SAID LOCKING MEANS TO PERMIT UNRESTRICTED RELATIVE LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID TRACK MEMBER AND SAID LOCKING MEANS; A LATCH CONTROL MEANS CARRIED BY THE BODY AND ADAPTED TO ENGAGE SAID TRACK MEMBER THROUGHOUT A PREDETERMINED SECOND PORTION OF SAID RANGE OF RELATIVE MOVEMENT, AND WHEN IN SUCH ENGAGEMENT NORMALLY PREVENTING MOVEMENT OF SAID LATCH MEANS, SAID LATCH CONTROL MEANS BEING SHIFTABLE TO A DISABLING POSITION WHEN THE BODY IS IN SAID FIRST PORTION OF THE RANGE OF MOVEMENT; AND MEANS URGING SAID LATCH CONTROL MEANS IN A DIRECTION TOWARD SAID TRACK MEMBER AND OPERABLE TO MOVE SAID LATCH CONTROL MEANS TO A DISABLING POSITION WHEN SAID BODY IS POSITIONED IN SAID FIRST PORTION OF THE RANGE OF RELATIVE MOVEMENT BEYOND SAID ONE OF SAID ENDS OF THE TRACK MEMBER SO THAT SELECTIVE MOVEMENT OF SAID LATCH MEANS IS PERMITTED.