Window construction

A window construction comprising:

• a support frame including a front flange, a rear flange disposed substantially in spaced parallel relationship to said front flange, a web interconnecting the outer edge portions of said front and rear flanges to form a generally U-shaped cross section, and a substantially planar central flange disposed between and generally parallel to said front and rear flanges to divide said U-shaped cross section into a front and rear channel;
• a first sash mounted within said rear channel, said first sash including a first sash frame with a flush, planar face extending around said first sash and disposed adjacent one face of said central flange;
• at least one slidable sash mounted within said front channel for movement between an open and closed position, said slidable sash including a second sash frame with a flush, planar face extending around said slidable sash and disposed adjacent the face of said central flange opposite said first sash frame;
• each of said two sash frames including a meeting member extending transversely to the direction of travel of said sliding sash and, said meeting members being disposed in overlapping, contacting relationship when said slidable sash is in closed position;
• weatherstrip means;
• extending within the interior of said two sash frames continuously along the length of and projecting transversely outwardly from the planar face of each of said two sash frames toward the other sash a distance sufficient to press said seal means against the adjacent face of said support frame central flange and against an adjacent surface of said meeting element of the opposite sash frame, thus forming a continuous, unbroken seal around the entire perimeter of each sash;
• and
• means for interlocking said two meeting elements together when said slidable sash is in closed position to prevent relative, transverse movement of said two meeting elements.

A latch for a window construction comprising:

• at least one slidable sash slidably mounted on a support frame which surrounds the slidable sash, including portions defining a bead member of arcuate cross section extending along one edge portion of the sash;
• said latch comprising an elongate catch plate pivotally mounted on said slidable sash to extend transversely across the entire width of the support frame to engage with portions of the support frame to secure the slidable sash in selective open positions or to lock the slidable sash in closed position;
• said latch plate includes portions defining an elongate socket of arcuate cross section extending along the length of said latch plate for snugly, pivotally receiving said bead members, and an elongate hooked free edge portion spaced from said socket;
• the support frame includes a pair of spaced parallel longitudinal members extending along the direction of travel of the slidable sash, and first and second end members disposed in spaced parallel relationship transversely to the direction of travel of the slidable sash to interconnect the end portions of said longitudinal members;
• a keeper lip extending transversely outwardly from the support frame first end member to engage with said latch plate edge portion to maintain the sliding sash in locked position;
• and
• said longitudinal members having portions defining a series of aligned notches located along the length of said longitudinal members for receiving said latch plate edge portion to secure the sliding sash in selective open positions.