Latch mechanisms for slidable windows

Abstract

Latch mechanisms for a slidable window generally disposed about the center of mass of a window pane on an edge perpendicular to its travel path to provide a straight line-pull using minimal mechanical effort and to provide a plurality of latch points to selectively secure a window pane in place along its travel path. Preferred embodiment provides a latch assembly for a window having first and second parallel edges slidably disposed between parallel first and second guiderails of a frame and can have a housing attached to a third window edge perpendicular to the first and second parallel sides, a latch handle connected to a drive gear engaged to a locking element slidably disposed within a channel of a housing in response to rotation of the drive gear about a pivot; the locking element movable from a biased extended position to a retracted position in response to rotation of the drive gear by a force sufficient to overcome the bias; and the first guiderail having a plurality of recesses spaced along the window travel path to receive the first end of the locking element in the operational position.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.