Slot-based fenestration unit monitoring apparatus and methods
First Claim
1. A fenestration unit monitoring apparatus configured for retrofitting an existing fenestration unit having a lock assembly located in a lock assembly slot in a frame member of a fenestration unit panel, the fenestration unit monitoring apparatus comprising:
- a device body configured for insertion into the lock assembly slot in the frame member of the fenestration unit panel when the lock assembly slot is occupied by the lock assembly, wherein the device body comprises a leading edge, a trailing edge, a first end located between the leading edge and the trailing edge, and a second end located between the leading edge and the trailing edge;
a bezel attached to the device body and positioned along the trailing edge of the device body such that device body and bezel are configured for insertion of the leading edge of the device body into the lock assembly slot ahead of the trailing edge;
a lock cavity defined in the leading edge of the device body between the first and second ends, wherein the lock cavity is positioned and sized to receive a portion of the lock assembly located in the lock assembly slot of the frame member when the device body is located in the lock assembly slot of the frame member with the bezel located proximate a surface of the frame member;
a monitor body attached to the device body, wherein the monitor body comprises;
a lock status sensor operably attached to the monitor body, wherein the lock status sensor is configured to detect when the lock assembly is in a locked state;
a panel position sensor attached to the monitor body, the panel position sensor configured to detect a position of the fenestration unit panel;
a controller attached to the monitor body, wherein the controller is operably connected to the lock status sensor and the panel position sensor, and wherein the controller is configured to;
receive a lock signal from the lock status sensor when the lock assembly is in the locked state;
receive a panel position signal from the panel position sensor when the panel position sensor detects presence of the second panel; and
provide an indication of a status of one or both of the lock signal and the panel position signal.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Fenestration unit monitoring apparatus configured to retrofit an existing fenestration unit to incorporate components that are capable of monitoring the locked or unlocked status of the existing lock assembly and/or the panel position status of a movable panel of the fenestration unit. The fenestration unit monitoring apparatus described herein may provide a relatively easy and aesthetically pleasing option to monitor the lock status and/or panel status of an existing fenestration unit with an existing lock assembly already located thereon. The fenestration unit monitoring apparatus may be inserted into an existing lock assembly slot in a frame member of an existing fenestration unit that already contains a lock assembly without requiring removal of the lock assembly from the lock assembly slot.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A fenestration unit monitoring apparatus configured for retrofitting an existing fenestration unit having a lock assembly located in a lock assembly slot in a frame member of a fenestration unit panel, the fenestration unit monitoring apparatus comprising:
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a device body configured for insertion into the lock assembly slot in the frame member of the fenestration unit panel when the lock assembly slot is occupied by the lock assembly, wherein the device body comprises a leading edge, a trailing edge, a first end located between the leading edge and the trailing edge, and a second end located between the leading edge and the trailing edge; a bezel attached to the device body and positioned along the trailing edge of the device body such that device body and bezel are configured for insertion of the leading edge of the device body into the lock assembly slot ahead of the trailing edge; a lock cavity defined in the leading edge of the device body between the first and second ends, wherein the lock cavity is positioned and sized to receive a portion of the lock assembly located in the lock assembly slot of the frame member when the device body is located in the lock assembly slot of the frame member with the bezel located proximate a surface of the frame member; a monitor body attached to the device body, wherein the monitor body comprises; a lock status sensor operably attached to the monitor body, wherein the lock status sensor is configured to detect when the lock assembly is in a locked state; a panel position sensor attached to the monitor body, the panel position sensor configured to detect a position of the fenestration unit panel; a controller attached to the monitor body, wherein the controller is operably connected to the lock status sensor and the panel position sensor, and wherein the controller is configured to; receive a lock signal from the lock status sensor when the lock assembly is in the locked state; receive a panel position signal from the panel position sensor when the panel position sensor detects presence of the second panel; and provide an indication of a status of one or both of the lock signal and the panel position signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of installing a fenestration unit monitoring apparatus on an existing fenestration unit having a lock assembly located in a lock assembly slot in a frame member of a fenestration unit panel, the method comprising:
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inserting a device body into the lock assembly slot in the frame member of the fenestration unit panel when the lock assembly slot is occupied by the lock assembly, wherein the device body comprises a leading edge, a trailing edge, a first end located between the leading edge and the trailing edge and a second end located between the leading edge and the trailing edge, and further wherein inserting the device body into the lock assembly slot comprises inserting the leading edge of the device body into the lock assembly slot while the trailing edge of the device body is attached to a bezel; wherein inserting the device body into the lock assembly slot positions the bezel on an outer surface of the frame member; wherein the device body comprises a lock cavity defined in the leading edge of the device body between the first and second ends, wherein inserting the device body into the lock assembly slot positions the lock cavity in the lock assembly slot such that the lock cavity receives a portion of the lock assembly located in the lock assembly slot; and wherein inserting the device body in the lock assembly slot positions a monitor body within the lock assembly slot, wherein the monitor body is attached to the device body, wherein the monitor body comprises; a lock status sensor operably attached to the monitor body, wherein the lock status sensor is configured to detect when the lock assembly is in a locked state; a panel position sensor attached to the monitor body, the panel position sensor configured to detect a position of the fenestration unit panel; a controller attached to the monitor body, wherein the controller is operably connected to the lock status sensor and the panel position sensor, and wherein the controller is configured to; receive a lock signal from the lock status sensor when the lock assembly is in the locked state; receive a panel position signal from the panel position sensor when the panel position sensor detects presence of the second panel; and provide an indication of a status of one or both of the lock signal and the panel position signal. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification