Window guard monitoring system and guard

• US 4,937,556 A
• Filed: 10/04/1988
• Issued: 06/26/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Avery D. Scott, Donald R. Vessell
• Original Assignee: Avery D. Scott, Donald R. Vessell
• Inventors: Scott, Avery D., Vessell, Donald R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, III, Glen R.
• Application Number:
  US07/252,982
• Time in Patent Office: 630 Days
• Field of Search: 49/31, 49/1, 49/13, 49/14, 340/691, 340/545, 340/628
• US Class Current: 340/686.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 19/005 combined burglary and fire alarm systems

Abstract

A window security system including a door disposed over a window and moveable between a closed position and an open position. The door may be selectively locked in the closed position by an electrically actuated lock. The system further includes a smoke detector and an actuator for automatically unlocking the door when the smoke detector detects smoke. The system also includes manual override features for unlocking the door even when the smoke detector detects smoke and also for preventing the door from unlocking when the smoke detector detects smoke. The system may also include audible or visual signals for indicating whether the door is in the open position.

Claims

1. A window security system adapted for use with a building possessing a window having a window frame and a window opening, said security system comprising:

a door mounted by at least one hinge to said window frame and disposed normally within said window opening, said door rotatable about said hinge between a closed position whereby the passage of an adult person through said window opening is substantially prevented and an open position whereby the passage of an adult person through said window opening is substantially permitted;

an electrically actuated strike or lock mounted to said door and adapted to extend into said window frame;

an electrically actuated latch plate rotatably mounted to said window frame and disposed in an adjacent, overlapping relation with said lock, said latch plate rotatable from a closed position whereby said lock is retained within said window frame and said door is maintained in a closed position and an open position whereby said latch plate is permitted to extend away from said window frame and said door assumes an open position;

a guard plate for substantially preventing access to said lock and to said latch plate from the exterior of the building when said door assumes a closed position;

a first solenoid for controlling the position of said latch plate between a closed position to an open position;

a first electric switch, said first electric switch being operable between an open position and a closed position;

a second solenoid for controlling the position of said first switch;

a sensor for detecting fire or other emergency condition within the building;

means responsive to said sensor for operating said second solenoid such that said second solenoid causes said first switch to assume a closed position whenever said sensor detects an emergency condition;

a source of electric power;

a second electric switch, said second electric switch being manually operable between an open position and a closed position;

a third electric switch, said third electric switch being manually operable between an open position and a closed position;

a first electric circuit operably connecting said power source to said first solenoid through said first electric switch and said second electric switch such that said first solenoid causes said latch plate to assume an open position when both said first switch and said second switch each assume a closed position; and

a second electric circuit operably connecting said power source to said first solenoid through said third electric switch such that said first solenoid causes said latch plate to assume an open position when said third electric switch assumes a closed position.

2. A window security system according to claim 1 wherein said third switch is biased toward an open position.

3. A window security system according to claim 1 further comprising means for automatically creating a signal when said door assumes an open position.

4. A window security system according to claim 3 wherein said signal creating means creates an audible signal.

5. A window security system according to claim 3 wherein said signal creating means creates a visual signal.

6. A window security system according to claim 3 wherein said signal creating means includes:

a second source of electric power;

a fourth electric switch, said fourth switch assuming an open position when said door assumes a closed position and assuming a closed position when said door assumes an open position;

a fifth electric switch, said fifth electric switch being operable between an open position and a closed position;

a third solenoid for controlling the position of said fifth switch;

a sixth electric switch, said sixth electric switch being manually operable between an open position and a closed position;

means for generating a signal selected from the group consisting of an audio signal and a visual signal;

a third electric circuit operably connecting said second power source to said signal generating means through said fifth switch and said sixth switch such that said signal is actuated when said fifth switch and said sixth switch each assume a closed position; and

a fourth electric circuit operably connecting said second power source to said third solenoid such that said fifth switch assumes a closed position only when said fourth switch assumes a closed position.

7. A window security system according to claim 1 further comprising means for biasing said door toward an open position.

8. A window security system according to claim 1 wherein said hinge comprises a spring hinge and wherein said spring hinge biases said door toward an open position.

9. A window security system according to claim 1 further comprising a wedge formed of resilient, compressible material disposed between said door and said window frame such that said wedge biases said door toward an open position.

10. A window security system according to claim 1 wherein said wedge is substantially permanently mounted in a position between said door and said window frame.