Force entry resistant sash lock

A window latch, for use in releasably securing at least one sliding sash window relative to a window frame wherein a portion of said latch engages a keeper located on the window frame or located on a second sash member, said latch comprising:

• a housing, said housing comprising a cavity and an orifice extending into said cavity;
• a shaft, said shaft being rotatably mounted in said housing orifice, with a portion of said shaft protruding into said housing cavity and a portion protruding out from said housing;
• a locking cam, said locking cam comprising an orifice, said locking cam being rotatably mounted upon said shaft within said housing cavity, with said orifice of said locking cam being rotatably received upon said shaft;
• a delay cam, said delay cam being fixedly mounted to said shaft within said housing cavity, with a cylindrical portion of said delay cam being received within a second orifice of said locking cam, and with one or more engagement surfaces of said delay cam being positioned to selectively engage said locking cam;
• a locking spring, a portion of said locking spring being secured to said housing within said cavity, with a second portion of said locking spring being biased into contact with said locking cam;
• wherein said shaft causes said delay cam to move between a first position and a second position to selectively drive said locking cam between a latch-unlocked position and a latch-locked position, said second portion of said biased locking spring configured to engage within a first opening in said locking cam to lock said locking cam relative to said housing upon said locking cam reaching said latch-locked position;
• and
• wherein said engagement of said second portion of said locking spring in said first opening of said locking cam is to a depth to further permit engagement of said second portion of said locking spring therein with a first recess in said cylindrical portion of said delay cam received within said locking cam, to thereby serve as a detent to releasably retain said delay cam in said second position.