Window lock assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10570646-B2
Application number	US-201615255041-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 1, 2016
Priority date	Sep 2, 2015
Publication date	Feb 25, 2020
Grant date	Feb 25, 2020

Abstract

A window lock assembly is provided for locking a window with a cord. The cord allows a window to be opened a small amount. The lock can be locked and unlocked without a key, and in some embodiments, can be operated with one hand.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A window lock comprising:
a first mount configured to be attached to a first window component;
a flexible cord attached to the first mount at a first location of the cord;
a cord lock attached to the flexible cord at a second location of the cord at a distance from the first mount;
a second mount including a lock receptor configured to removably receive the cord lock, the second mount being configured to be attached to a second window component;
the second mount including a cord lock blocker which is slideably movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the cord lock blocker blocks removal of the cord lock from the lock receptor, and in the second position, the cord lock blocker does not block removal of the cord lock;
and wherein the cord lock blocker is biased toward the first position and is movable to the second position by applying a force to a finger-graspable portion of the cord lock blocker;
wherein the cord lock includes an insertion member, and the lock receptor includes an opening configured to receive the insertion member as the insertion member travels in a first lock insertion direction into the opening, the opening extending into a channel within the lock receptor, and the channel is configured to permit the insertion member to slide within the channel in a second direction which is different from the first lock insertion direction after receiving the insertion member into the opening;
wherein to remove the cord lock from the lock receptor, the insertion member has to be removed through the opening; and
wherein the cord lock blocker is movable in a blocking direction and an opposing unblocking direction which are transverse to the second direction, such that the cord lock blocker blocks or unblocks the insertion member within the channel.

2. A window lock as in claim 1 , further comprising a holding tab which is configured to selectively hold the cord lock blocker in the first position.

3. A window lock as in claim 1 , wherein the first mount includes at least one hole configured to receive a screw to attach the first mount to the first window component, and the second mount includes at least one hole configured to receive a screw to attach the second mount to the second window component.

4. A window lock as in claim 1 , wherein the first mount is attached to the first window component, and the second mount is attached to the second window component.

5. A window lock as in claim 1 , wherein the cord lock blocker moves in a blocking direction that is perpendicular to the second direction.

6. A window lock as in claim 1 , wherein the finger-graspable portion comprises a protrusion extending outwardly from the blocker.

7. A window lock as in claim 1 , wherein the blocker is spring-biased toward the first position.

8. A window lock as in claim 1 , wherein the cord lock blocker prevents movement of the cord lock along a length of the lock receptor.

9. A method of locking and unlocking a window, comprising:
(a) attaching a first mount to a first window component, the first mount including a flexible cord attached to the first mount at a first location of the cord, and a cord lock attached to the flexible cord at a second location of the cord at a distance from the first mount;
(b) attaching a second mount to a second window component, the second mount including a lock receptor configured to removably receive the cord lock;
(c) in the lock receptor, slideably moving a cord lock blocker away from a first position;
(d) inserting the cord lock in the lock receptor by moving the cord lock in a first lock insertion direction into an opening of the lock receptor;
(e) sliding the cord lock within a channel in a second direction which is different from the first lock insertion direction, where the channel extends from the opening;
wherein to remove the cord lock from the lock receptor, the insertion member has to be removed through the opening;
(f) releasing the cord lock blocker such that a biasing element moves the cord lock blocker into the first position which prevents removal of the cord lock from the lock receptor by blocking the cord lock within the channel;
(g) slideably moving the cord lock blocker from the first position to a second, unblocking position by applying a force to a finger-graspable portion of the cord lock blocker;
(h) sliding the cord lock within the channel to the opening; and
(i) removing the cord lock from the lock receptor through the opening.

10. A method as in claim 9 , wherein the cord lock blocker moves in a blocking direction that is perpendicular to the second direction.

11. A window lock as in claim 1 , wherein the flexible cord is attached to the first mount at an attachment location which is not movable relative to the first mount.

12. A method as in claim 9 , wherein the biasing element comprises a spring.

13. A method as in claim 9 , wherein in act (c), slideably moving the cord lock blocker comprises applying a force to a finger-graspable portion of the cord lock blocker, and in act (f), releasing the cord lock blocker comprises letting go of the finger-graspable portion of the cord lock blocker.

14. A method as in claim 9 , wherein act (c) comprises moving the cord lock blocker out of the channel.

15. A method as in claim 9 , wherein the cord lock blocker comprises a slider.

16. A window lock as in claim 1 , wherein the cord lock blocker comprises a slider.

Assignees

• Elbee Pty Ltd

Inventors

• Marsden Andrew

Classifications

• E05C17/36

  comprising a flexible member, e.g. chains · CPC title

• E05B65/0014 Primary

  to prevent opening by children (E05B13/00 takes precedence; child-proof container closures B65D50/00) · CPC title