Window tilt latch system

A window in combination with a tilt latch assembly, comprising:

• a window frame including an interior side generally opposite an exterior side, a first vertical jamb generally opposite a second vertical jamb, and an upper transverse jamb generally above a lower transverse jamb;
• a sash including a glazing and a sash frame, the sash frame having an interior surface and an exterior surface, an upper rail generally opposite a lower rail, and a first stile generally opposite a second stile;
• wherein the sash is inwardly pivotable about a horizontal axis generally aligned with the lower rail between a closed position, wherein the sash is generally parallel to the window frame, and an open position, wherein the sash is disposed at an angle relative to the window frame;
• and
• wherein the upper rail includes an inner surface generally opposite an outer surface, the outer surface facing the interior surface of the window frame when the sash is in the closed position and being spaced a distance from the interior surface of the window frame when the sash is in the open position;
• and
• a tilt latch system disposed at least partially within the sash frame and adapted to be placed in a locked state and an unlocked state, the tilt latch system comprising:
• an actuator disposed proximate to an upper surface of the upper rail and movable in a direction generally parallel to the first stile between a raised position and a lowered position, the actuator being closer to the lower rail of the sash in the lowered position than in the raised position;
• an engagement mechanism operatively coupled to the actuator, the engagement mechanism configured to move between an extended position, wherein the engagement mechanism is disposed at least partially within the first vertical jamb placing the tilt latch system in the locked state, and a retracted position, wherein the engagement mechanism is removed from the first vertical jamb placing the tilt latch system in the unlocked state;
• wherein moving the actuator from the raised position to the lowered position operatively moves the engagement mechanism from the extended position to the retracted position, the motion of the engagement mechanism including a component generally perpendicular to the motion of the actuator and generally parallel to the glazing;
• wherein the tilt latch system further comprises a first cartridge assembly that includes the engagement mechanism and an inner housing, the inner housing being operatively coupled to the actuator and slidable relative to an outer housing in a direction generally parallel to the motion of the actuator;
• wherein the first cartridge assembly is configured to be operatively coupled to a second cartridge assembly being substantially identical to the first cartridge assembly, and wherein a lower portion of each cartridge assembly includes a first coupling feature and an upper portion of each cartridge assembly includes a second coupling feature, wherein the first coupling feature being configured to be coupled to the second coupling feature to couple the second cartridge assembly to the first cartridge assembly.