Tilt latch apparatus and sashes incorporating same

A tilt latch apparatus for a release rail of a sash, the tilt latch apparatus comprising:

• a housing configured for positioning in a tilt latch channel of a release rail of a sash, wherein the housing comprises a housing channel extending along a housing channel axis;
• a first latch bolt assembly proximate a first end of the housing, wherein the first latch bolt assembly comprises a first latch bolt movable between an engagement position and a retracted position, wherein the first latch bolt extends past the first end of the housing when in the engagement position;
• a second latch bolt assembly proximate a second end of the housing, wherein the second latch bolt assembly comprises a second latch bolt movable between an engagement position and a retracted position, wherein the second latch bolt extends past the second end of the housing when in the engagement position;
• a common tilt latch retractor assembly positioned in the housing channel between the first latch bolt assembly and the second latch bolt assembly, wherein the common tilt latch retractor assembly is operably connected to both the first latch bolt assembly and the second latch bolt assembly and wherein the common tilt latch retractor assembly comprises a driver and a base, wherein the driver comprises a pushbutton that is configured to move downwardly towards the base during actuation of the common tilt latch retractor assembly, and wherein the common tilt latch retractor assembly is configured to retract the latch bolts for both the first latch bolt assembly and the second latch bolt assembly inwardly towards the common tilt latch retractor assembly from their respective engagement positions to their respective retracted positions when the driver is moved towards the base.

A method comprising:

• sliding a sash within a fenestration unit frame such that a release rail of the sash is moved away from a frame member of the fenestration unit frame, wherein the release rail comprises a frame edge facing the frame member and a panel edge facing away from the frame member, wherein the panel edge faces an edge of a panel contained in the sash, and wherein the release rail comprises an inner surface extending between the frame edge and the panel edge on one side of the sash and an outer surface facing extending between the frame edge and the panel edge on an opposite side of the sash;
• moving a first latch bolt of a first latch bolt assembly in the release rail from an engagement position to a retracted position, wherein the first latch bolt extends past a first end of the release rail when in the engagement position;
• moving a second latch bolt of a second latch bolt assembly in the release rail from an engagement position to a retracted position, wherein the second latch bolt extends past a second end of the release rail when in the engagement position;
• wherein moving the first latch bolt and the second latch bolt from their respective engagement positions to their respective retracted positions comprises actuating a common tilt latch retractor assembly located within a release rail volume defined by the frame edge, panel edge, inner surface, and outer surface of the release rail, wherein the common tilt latch retractor assembly is operably connected to both the first latch bolt assembly and the second latch bolt assembly, and wherein actuating the common tilt latch retractor assembly comprises actuating the common tilt latch retractor assembly with one hand and wherein the actuating retracts the latch bolts for both the first latch bolt assembly and the second latch bolt assembly inwardly towards the common tilt latch retractor assembly from their respective engagement positions to their respective retracted positions at the same time;
• wherein actuating the common tilt latch retractor assembly further comprises moving a driver between a rest position and a retraction position to retract the latch bolts for both the first latch bolt assembly and the second latch bolt assembly inwardly towards the common tilt latch actuator from their respective engagement positions to their respective retracted positions, wherein the driver comprises a pushbutton and wherein moving the driver between the rest position and the retraction position comprises moving the pushbutton towards the panel edge of the release rail in a direction transverse to a release rail axis extending between the first and second latch bolt assemblies.