Window opening control device

A window opening control assembly comprising:

• a first component for attachment to one of a sash or a window frame, the first component comprising a latch assembly including an actuator and a retainer;
• and
• a second component for attachment to the other of the sash or the window frame, the second component comprising an elongated body having a channel extending along a longitudinal axis thereof and an opening at a distal end of the channel, an at least partially flexible member extending within the channel along the length of the body and terminating outwardly from the channel opening for being received by the retainer, the at least partially flexible member being extendable to the first component, and a stop for setting an effective length of the at least partially flexible member as it extends to the first component, wherein the longitudinal position of the stop is adjustable within the channel,
• wherein the at least partially flexible member is releasably secured by the latch assembly and fed from the second component as distance between the first and second components increases until an intermediate position is reached and the first and second components are restrained from further relative movement, and
• wherein the retainer releasably secures the at least partially flexible member within the latch assembly and the latch assembly is selectively unlatched to permit removal of the at least partially flexible member from the latch assembly to permit free movement between the first and second components.

A method of operating a window assembly, comprising:

• moving a first component attached to one of a sash or a frame of the window assembly to a position adjacent a second component attached to the other of the sash or the frame, the first component comprising a latch assembly including a single actuator and a retainer, the first component further comprising a body and a lifter element proximate the actuator and at least partially extending above a top surface of the body, the actuator including a button release portion and an integral gate portion and being normally biased in a first direction to block an opening of the retainer, the actuator pivotable between a first position blocking the retainer opening and a second position permitting access to the retainer opening, and the second component comprising an at least partially flexible member that is extendable to the first component;
• raising a lower portion of the sash via the lifter element to align the at least partially flexible member with the retainer as the sash moves toward a closed position with respect to the frame;
• securing a portion of the at least partially flexible member within the retainer as the first component approaches the second component by causing the actuator to pivot from the first position to the second position;
• and
• feeding the at least partially flexible member from the second component as the sash is moved away from the frame until the sash reaches an intermediate position and the sash is restrained from further movement away from the frame.