True indicating automated sash lock

An automated sash lock for locking a window sash, comprising:

• a lock housing having a front surface and a rear surface defining first and second openings;
• a locking element comprising a body portion and a cam portion extending from the body portion, the locking element being rotatable through the rear surface first opening about a first axis between unlocked and locked positions, the locking element being normally biased toward the locked position;
• a detent rotatably secured within the lock housing and rotatable between engaged and disengaged positions about a second axis parallel to the first axis, the detent engaged with the locking element body portion when in the engaged position to retain the locking element in the unlocked position, the detent being normally biased toward the engaged position;
• a transfer element pivotally secured within the lock housing and pivotable between first and second positions about a first end, the transfer element including a fin for engaging the locking element body portion to retain the locking element in an unlocked position when the transfer element is in the first position and the detent is in the disengaged position;
• and
• a depressible trigger being linearly translatable between an extended position and a retracted position within the lock housing to rotate the detent to the disengaged position, the trigger at least partially extending through the rear surface second opening when in the extended position and being normally biased to the extended position by the detent,
• wherein the trigger is caused to translate from the extended position to the retracted position as the window sash moves into a window closed position, thereby rotating the detent into the disengaged position and causing the locking element to move to the locked position, the locking element cam portion engaging with a strike in an adjacent window sash when in the locked position to prevent the sashes from relative sliding movement.

A method of operating a sash lock mounted with respect to window sashes capable of relative sliding movement, comprising:

• providing a sash lock mounted on a first window sash, the sash lock including:
• a lock housing having a front surface and a rear surface defining first and second openings;
• a locking element comprising a body portion and a cam portion extending from the body portion, the locking element being rotatable through the rear surface first opening about a first axis between unlocked and locked positions, the locking element being normally biased toward the locked position;
• a detent rotatably secured within the lock housing and rotatable between engaged and disengaged positions about a second axis parallel to the first axis, the detent engaged with the locking element body portion when in the engaged position to retain the locking element in the unlocked position, the detent being normally biased toward the engaged position;
• a depressible trigger being linearly translatable between an extended position and a retracted position within the lock housing to rotate the detent to the disengaged position, the trigger at least partially extending through the rear surface second opening when in the extended position and being normally biased to the extended position by the detent;
• and
• a transfer element pivotally secured within the lock housing and pivotable between first and second positions about a first end, the transfer element including a fin for engaging the locking element body portion to retain the locking element in an unlocked position when the transfer element is in the first position and the detent is in the disengaged position;
• providing a strike mounted on a second window sash, the strike including an opening for receiving the locking element and preventing the sashes from relative sliding movement;
• causing the detent to rotate to the engaged position to retain the locking element in the unlocked position;
• moving the first window sash with respect to the second window sash from an open position towards a closed position wherein the window sashes move relative to each other in generally parallel planes;
• and
• causing the trigger to translate from the extended position to the retracted position as the window sashes move into the closed position, thereby rotating the detent into the disengaged position and causing the locking element to rotate to the locked position, the locking element cam portion engaging with the strike opening to prevent the sashes from relative sliding movement.