Friction Latch For Sliding Sash Window

A locking latch which attaches to a sliding window and can selectively frictionally engage a window frame in which the window is slidably mounted;

• the locking latch comprising:
• a latch unit for a sliding window mountable within a window frame;
• the latch unit having a sash base for mounting to the sliding window;
• the sash base having a back surface for abutting the window and a shelf extending from the back surface;
• the shelf having a first surface opposite a second surface with provision on the second surface for retaining one end of a resilient element;
• a retention bar hingedly connected to the sash base adjacent the second surface of the shelf;
• the retention bar having a wall with a front opposite a back with a lip extending from the back of the wall and a flange extending from the front of the wall;
• the lip having a first side opposite a second side with provision in the second side for retaining a second end of the resilient member opposite the first end whereby the resilient member is sandwiched between the sash base and the retention bar to urge the retention bar toward a latched configuration in which the flange engages the frame;
• a handle hingedly connected to the sash base adjacent the retention bar;
• the handle having a gripping portion and a cam portion;
• and
• the cam portion engaging the first side of the retention bar for urging the lip against the resiliency of the spring toward an unlatched configuration in which the flange disengages the frame as the handle is hingedly rotated.