Window Lock Housing Protrusion Prevents Unauthorized Handle Rotation

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional window locks are vulnerable to inadvertent or unauthorized access due to the potential for manual rotation of the handle, and existing security enhancements are complex, expensive, and may obstruct authorized use.

Innovation Solution

A window lock with a housing featuring a protrusion that prevents inadvertent handle rotation, where the protrusion is arcuate and positioned distally to the handle attachment point, allowing it to be received within a recess in the handle, providing secure and efficient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If significant mechanical features are utilized to secure window locks, then security against unauthorized access is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity against unauthorized accessVSAvoidmechanical feature complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into multiple surfaces (first, second, third, and fourth surfaces) with each surface containing a specific protrusion feature. This segmentation allows the complex security function to be distributed across simple geometric elements rather than requiring a single complex mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different surfaces of the housing have different protrusion configurations tailored to their specific security needs. The first surface has a first protrusion, the second surface has a second protrusion, and so on. Each local area has optimized security features appropriate to its position and function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If significant mechanical features are utilized to secure window locks, then security against unauthorized access is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity against unauthorized accessVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into multiple surfaces (first, second, third, and fourth surfaces) with each surface containing a specific protrusion feature. This segmentation allows the complex security function to be distributed across simple geometric elements rather than requiring a single complex mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different surfaces of the housing have different protrusion configurations tailored to their specific security needs. The first surface has a first protrusion, the second surface has a second protrusion, and so on. Each local area has optimized security features appropriate to its position and function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If conventional window lock design with handle extending above housing is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but vulnerability to clandestine access occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual operation capabilityVSAvoidclandestine access vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusions are positioned and configured to prevent unauthorized rotation before it can occur. The first protrusion on the first surface and second protrusion on the second surface create preliminary mechanical barriers that stop clandestine access attempts before they can compromise the lock.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The handle protrudes asymmetrically from the housing with the handle end extending beyond the housing boundary. This asymmetric configuration provides ease of operation for authorized users while the non-symmetric protrusion patterns on different surfaces create asymmetric barriers against unauthorized access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS10190343B1Housing protrusion

Publication Date: 2019.01.29 AMESBURY IND INC

AI summary

A rotatable window lock including a cam positioned within a housing and rotatably connected to a handle. The housing defines a vertical protrusion on the exterior surface sized and configured to be inserted within an aperture defined in the bottom surface of the handle. By positioning the protrusion closer to the housing edge than the housing center, the protrusion is able to rotatably refrain the handle, preventing inadvertent rotation of the handle and unauthorized window access.