US 2010/0037524 A1 · Latch for tiltable sash windows

Abstract

A latch is provided for use principally on a pivotal sash window of a double-hung sash window assembly. The latch comprises a latch-bolt slidably mounted within and biased relative to a housing, where the housing is mounted to the top rail of the sash window. The latch bolt is connected to a button for manual actuation of the latch bolt. The latch bolt, while maintaining the convenience and utility of a standard short throw latch, is contoured and designed to maintain engagement with the jam after the window has been deformed under high sustained wind loading typically experienced during extreme weather phenomena such as hurricanes and tornados. The engagement is assured in spite of twisting of the latch bolt within the corresponding opening in the jam.

Claims76

Dependent claims

A latch, for use in fenestration products, said latch comprising:

(a) a latch bolt;
said latch bolt comprising a latch bolt tongue, said latch bolt tongue having a front face, said front face extending between a top surface and a bottom surface and between an outer end and an inner end, said front face having a step feature;
said latch bolt further comprising a housing, said housing comprising a top plate, a bottom wall, and first and second side walls, said first and second sidewall extending from at least a portion of said top plate, said bottom wall connecting to at least a portion of said first and second side walls, said top plate, bottom wall and first and second side walls therein forming a cavity, said cavity having at least a first opening;
(b) a fixed member, said fixed member disposed in said cavity of said latch bolt housing, wherein at least a portion of said fixed member protrudes from said first opening in said latch bolt housing;
and
(c) a spring means, wherein said spring means biases said latch bolt relative to said fixed member.

3 more elements

A method for securing a tiltable sash window of a double-hung window assembly against high wind loads associated with hurricanes and other extreme weather phenomena, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a latch capable of resisting twist-out effect occurring as a result of convexing and the window deformation of such wind loading, said pair of latches comprising left-hand and right-hand latches to engage respective opposing side jam flanges, where said left-hand and right-hand latches comprise:
(1) a latch bolt;
said latch bolt comprising a latch bolt tongue, said latch bolt tongue having a front face, said front face extending between a top surface and a bottom surface and between an outer end and an inner end, said front face having a step feature;
said latch bolt further comprising a housing, said housing comprising a top plate, a bottom wall, and first and second side walls, said first and second sidewall extending from at least a portion of said top plate, said bottom wall connecting to at least a portion of said first and second side walls, said top plate, bottom wall and first and second side walls therein forming a cavity, said cavity having at least a first opening;
(2) a fixed member, said fixed member disposed in said cavity of said latch bolt housing, wherein at least a portion of said fixed member protrudes from said first opening in said latch bolt housing;
and
(3) a spring means, wherein said spring means biases said latch bolt relative to said fixed member.
(4) a means for retracting said latch bolt, said means comprising a surface which may be contacted by a user to retract said lock bolt;
(b) forming coordinated punched openings in the top rail and the stile on the left-hand side of the window frame;
(c) forming coordinated punched openings in the top rail and the stile on the right-hand side of the window frame;
(d) installing on the left-hand side of the sash window said left-hand twist-out resistant latch such that said groove on said front face of said tongue is in-line with the window jam flange;
(e) installing on the right-hand side of the sash window said right-hand version of said twist-out resistant latch such that said groove on said front face of said tongue is in-line with the window jam flange;

9 more elements

A latch, for use in locking at least one sash of a sash window, said latch comprising:

(a) a latch bolt;
said latch bolt comprising a housing, said housing comprising at least one housing wall and a top plate, said top plate overhanging beyond said at least one housing wall, said top plate and said at least one housing wall forming a cavity with a first opening;
said top plate comprising a means of actuating said latch;
said housing further comprising a latch bolt tongue protruding from at least a portion of said at least one housing wall, said tongue protruding beyond said top plate, and said tongue comprising at least a generally flat bearing surface;
(b) a member, said member comprising a top wall, and at least one side wall extending from said top wall, said member having a first end and a second end;
said top wall at said first end having a recess;
said member having an end wall at said second end that connects said top wall and said at least one side wall;
said member being slidably disposed in said cavity of said latch bolt housing, and wherein at least a portion of said second end of said member protrudes from said first opening in said latch bolt housing;
said protruding portion of said second end having a recess;
and
(c) a spring means, wherein said spring means biases said latch bolt relative to said member.

8 more elements

A method of installing a window latch for a sash window, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a latch to engage a side jam flange on a master frame of said window, where said latches comprises:
(1) a latch bolt;
said latch bolt comprising a housing with a latch bolt tongue extending therefrom, said latch bolt tongue having at least a generally flat front surface, said housing further comprising a top plate, a bottom wall, and first and second side walls, said first and second sidewall extending from at least a portion of said top plate, said bottom wall connecting to at least a portion of said first and second side walls, said top plate, bottom wall and first and second side walls therein forming a cavity, said cavity having at least a first opening;
(2) a member, said member comprising a top wall and at least one side wall extending from said top wall;
said top wall having a first recess at a first end and a second recess at a second end of said top wall, said member being slidably disposed in said cavity of said latch bolt housing and protruding out an opening in said housing;
and
(3) a spring means, wherein said spring means biases said member through said housing opening and out from said cavity, said latch bolt having one or more protrusions to limit outward travel of said member, and wherein at least a portion of said member protrudes from an opening in said latch bolt housing;
(4) a means for retracting said latch bolt, said means comprising a surface on said housing which may be contacted by a user;
(b) forming a pair of coordinated punched openings in said window, one of said coordinated punched openings being in a top rail of said window, and another of said coordinated punched openings being in a stile of said window;
(c) inserting said latch into said coordinated punched opening in said top rail of said window, said tongue being inserted first and being inserted so as to thereafter occupy said coordinated punched opening in said stile;
(d) applying pressure to oppose said bias between said housing and said member so as to compress said spring, and cause said member to be temporarily disposed within said housing cavity;
(e) receiving a first portion of said punched opening in said window top rail, said first portion of said punched top rail opening being positioned between said top plate of said housing and said recess at said first end of said top wall;
receiving a second portion of said punched opening in said window top rail, said second portion of said punched top rail opening being positioned between said top plate of said housing and said recess at said second end of said top wall;
(f) said member thus abutting said window top rail enabling said spring means to thereby biasing said latch bolt housing, with said latch bolt tongue being biased out of said coordinated punched opening in said stile of said window, with said generally flat surface of said latch bolt tongue being in line with said side jam flange on said master frame of said window;

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Latch for tiltable sash windows

Life of this patent

Latch for tiltable sash windows

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims76