Latch for tiltable sash windows

• US 20100037524A1
• Filed: 08/15/2008
• Published: 02/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vision Industries Group Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Vision Industries Group Incorporated
• Inventors: Liang, Tong, Liang, Luke, Chen, David
• Granted Patent: US 8,220,846 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 49/176
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 63/12 with means carried by the bolt for interlocking with the keeper
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 1/10 with operating handle or equivalent member rigid with the latch
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 15/22 allowing an additional movement E05D15/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/148 Windows
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/41 Door latch separation prevention
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0969 Spring projected

Abstract

A latch is provided for use principally on a pivotal sash window of a double-hung sash window assembly. The latch comprises a latch-bolt slidably mounted within and biased relative to a housing, where the housing is mounted to the top rail of the sash window. The latch bolt is connected to a button for manual actuation of the latch bolt. The latch bolt, while maintaining the convenience and utility of a standard short throw latch, is contoured and designed to maintain engagement with the jam after the window has been deformed under high sustained wind loading typically experienced during extreme weather phenomena such as hurricanes and tornados. The engagement is assured in spite of twisting of the latch bolt within the corresponding opening in the jam.

Claims

1. A latch, for use in fenestration products, said latch comprising:

(a) a latch bolt;

said latch bolt comprising a latch bolt tongue, said latch bolt tongue having a front face, said front face extending between a top surface and a bottom surface and between an outer end and an inner end, said front face having a step feature;

said latch bolt further comprising a housing, said housing comprising a top plate, a bottom wall, and first and second side walls, said first and second sidewall extending from at least a portion of said top plate, said bottom wall connecting to at least a portion of said first and second side walls, said top plate, bottom wall and first and second side walls therein forming a cavity, said cavity having at least a first opening;

(b) a fixed member, said fixed member disposed in said cavity of said latch bolt housing, wherein at least a portion of said fixed member protrudes from said first opening in said latch bolt housing; and

(c) a spring means, wherein said spring means biases said latch bolt relative to said fixed member.

2. The latch according to claim 1 wherein said fenestration product is a tiltable sash window of a double-hung window assembly.

3. The latch according to claim 1 wherein said step feature comprises a recess.

4. The latch according to claim 1 wherein said step feature comprises a recess having a wall, and first and second lateral faces.

5. The latch according to claim 1 wherein said step feature of said front face comprises one or more grooves.

6. The latch according to claim 5 wherein a groove of said one or more grooves comprises a groove face and first and second lateral faces.

7. The latch according to claim 6 wherein said lateral faces are flat.

8. The latch according to claim 7 wherein said first and second lateral faces are perpendicular to said tongue front face.

9. The latch according to claim 7 wherein said first and second lateral faces are at an acute angle relative to said tongue front face.

10. The latch according to claim 7 wherein said first and second lateral faces are at an obtuse angle relative to said tongue front face.

11. The latch according to claim 7 wherein said groove further comprises a first curved surface and a second curved surface, said first curved surface connecting said first lateral face to said groove face, and said second curved surface connecting said second lateral face to said groove face.

12. The latch according to claim 6 wherein said lateral faces are curved.

13. The latch according to claim 6 wherein said groove face is flat.

14. The latch according to claim 6 wherein said groove face is curved.

15. The latch according to claim 6 wherein said groove face is parallel to said front face of said tongue.

16. The latch according to claim 15 wherein said groove begins at said bottom surface of said tongue and runs toward said top surface of said tongue, said groove reaching said top surface.

17. The latch according to claim 15 wherein said groove begins at said bottom surface of said tongue and runs toward said top surface of said tongue, said groove ending before reaching said top surface.

18. The latch according to claim 15 wherein said groove begins at said top surface of said tongue and runs toward said bottom surface, said groove ending before reaching said bottom surface.

19. The latch according to claim 15 wherein said one or more grooves comprises:

(a) a first groove, said first groove beginning at said bottom surface of said tongue and running towards said top surface, said first groove ending before reaching said top surface; and

(b) a second groove, said second groove beginning at said top surface of said tongue and running towards said first groove, said second groove ending before reaching said first groove.

20. The latch according to claim 19 wherein said first groove and said second groove end approximately mid-way between said top surface and said bottom surface of said tongue.

21. The latch according to claim 6 wherein said groove face is angled with respect to said front face of said tongue.

22. The latch according to claim 21 wherein said angled groove begins at said bottom surface of said tongue and runs towards said top surface, said angled groove having zero depth at said bottom surface and having increasing depth with increasing distance from said bottom surface, said angled groove ending at said top surface of said tongue.

23. The latch according to claim 21 wherein said angled groove begins at said bottom surface of said tongue and runs towards said top surface, said angled groove having a depth at said bottom surface and having increasing depth with increasing distance from said bottom surface, said angled groove ending at said top surface of said tongue.

24. The latch according to claim 21 wherein said angled groove beginning at said top surface of said tongue and runs towards said bottom surface, said angled groove having zero depth at said top surface and having increasing depth with increasing distance from said top surface, said angled groove ending at said bottom surface of said tongue.

25. The latch according to claim 21 wherein said angled groove beginning at said top surface of said tongue and runs towards said bottom surface, said angled groove having a depth at said top surface and having increasing depth with increasing distance from said top surface, said angled groove ending at said bottom surface of said tongue.

26. The latch according to claim 21 wherein said angled groove begins at a position in between said bottom surface and said top surface of said tongue and runs toward said top surface, said groove having zero depth at said beginning position and having increasing depth with increasing distance from said beginning position, said groove ending at said top surface of said tongue.

27. The latch according to claim 21 wherein said angled groove begins at a position in between said bottom surface and said top surface of said tongue, and runs toward said bottom surface, said groove having zero depth at said beginning position and having increasing depth with increasing distance from said beginning position, said groove ending at said bottom surface of said tongue.

28. The latch according to claim 21 wherein said one or more angled grooves comprise:

(a) a first angled groove, said first angled groove beginning at a position in between said bottom surface and said top surface of said tongue and running towards said top surface, said first angled groove having zero depth at said beginning position and having increasing depth with increasing distance from said beginning position, said first angled groove ending at said top surface of said tongue; and

(b) a second angled groove, said second angled groove beginning at a position in between said bottom surface of said tongue and said beginning of said first angled groove, said second angled groove running towards said bottom surface, said second angled groove having zero depth at said beginning position and having increasing depth with increasing distance from said beginning position, said second angled groove ending at said bottom surface of said tongue.

29. The latch according to claim 28 wherein said beginning of said first angled groove and said beginning of said second angled groove is approximately mid-way between said top surface and said bottom surface of said tongue

30. The latch according to claim 1 wherein said step feature of said front face comprises a surface, said surface being offset from and parallel to said front face of said tongue, said surface beginning at said inner end of said front face, said surface being connected to said front face by a lateral face.

31. The latch according to claim 30 wherein said lateral face is perpendicular to said front face.

32. The latch according to claim 31 wherein said lateral face is at an angle to said front face.

33. The latch according to claim 1 wherein said housing further comprises a face plate.

34. The latch according to claim 1 wherein said latch further comprises a fixed member, and wherein said spring biases said latch bolt relative to said fixed member.

35. The latch according to claim 1 wherein said latch further comprises a means for retracting said latch bolt.

36. The latch according to claim 35 wherein said means is a button.

37. The latch according to claim 35 wherein said means is a recess in a surface of said latch.

38. The latch according to claim 1 wherein said spring means is a compression spring.

39. The latch according to claim 1 wherein said spring means is a tension spring.

40. A method for securing a tiltable sash window of a double-hung window assembly against high wind loads associated with hurricanes and other extreme weather phenomena, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a latch capable of resisting twist-out effect occurring as a result of convexing and the window deformation of such wind loading, said pair of latches comprising left-hand and right-hand latches to engage respective opposing side jam flanges, where said left-hand and right-hand latches comprise;

(1) a latch bolt;

said latch bolt comprising a latch bolt tongue, said latch bolt tongue having a front face, said front face extending between a top surface and a bottom surface and between an outer end and an inner end, said front face having a step feature;

said latch bolt further comprising a housing, said housing comprising a top plate, a bottom wall, and first and second side walls, said first and second sidewall extending from at least a portion of said top plate, said bottom wall connecting to at least a portion of said first and second side walls, said top plate, bottom wall and first and second side walls therein forming a cavity, said cavity having at least a first opening;

(2) a fixed member, said fixed member disposed in said cavity of said latch bolt housing, wherein at least a portion of said fixed member protrudes from said first opening in said latch bolt housing; and

(3) a spring means, wherein said spring means biases said latch bolt relative to said fixed member.

(4) a means for retracting said latch bolt, said means comprising a surface which may be contacted by a user to retract said lock bolt;

(b) forming coordinated punched openings in the top rail and the stile on the left-hand side of the window frame;

(c) forming coordinated punched openings in the top rail and the stile on the right-hand side of the window frame;

(d) installing on the left-hand side of the sash window said left-hand twist-out resistant latch such that said groove on said front face of said tongue is in-line with the window jam flange;

(e) installing on the right-hand side of the sash window said right-hand version of said twist-out resistant latch such that said groove on said front face of said tongue is in-line with the window jam flange;

41. A latch for use in locking at least one sash of a sash window, said latch comprising:

a latch bolt housing, said latch bolt housing comprising an installation means and a latch bolt tongue, said latch bolt tongue including a surface with an engagement feature.

42. The latch according to claim 41 wherein said engagement feature comprises one or more grooves upon said face of said latch bolt tongue.

43. The latch according to claim 42 wherein said one or more grooves comprises one or more angled grooves, and wherein each of said one or more angled grooves comprises a groove with a depth that varies across said face of said tongue.

44. The latch according to claim 41 wherein said engagement feature comprises a step in said face of said latch bolt tongue.

45. The latch according to claim 43 wherein said installation means comprises said housing comprising at least one housing wall and a top plate, said top plate overhanging beyond said at least one housing wall, said top plate and said at least one housing wall forming a cavity with a first opening;

said latch bolt tongue protruding from at least a portion of said at least one housing wall, said tongue protruding beyond said top plate; and

a member, said member comprising a top wall, and at least one side wall extending from said top wall, said member having a first end and a second end;

said top wall at said first end having a recess;

said member having an end wall at said second end that connects said top wall and said at least one side wall;

said member being linked with said latch bolt housing, and wherein at least a portion of said second end of said member protrudes from said first opening in said latch bolt housing;

said protruding portion of said second end having a recess.

46. The latch according to claim 45 wherein said link between said member and said latch bolt housing comprises a spring means, said spring means biasing said latch bolt housing and tongue into a locked position.

47. The latch according to claim 46 wherein said link between said member and said latch bolt housing further comprises said member being disposed in said cavity in said latch bolt housing, wherein at least a portion of said member protrudes from an opening in said latch bolt housing, said spring means biasing said latch bolt relative to said member.

48. The latch according to claim 47 wherein said installation means further comprises receiving a portion of a window top rail, said portion of said top rail being positioned between said top plate of said housing and said recess in said top wall of said member;

and receiving a second portion of said window top rail, said second portion of said top rail being positioned between said top plate of said housing and said recess in said protruding portion of said second end of said member.

49. A latch for use in locking at least one sash of a sash window, said latch comprising:

a latch bolt housing, said latch bolt housing comprising a top plate, a toggle button extending from said top plate, and a latch bolt tongue;

said latch further comprising a member that is slidably disposed in a cavity in said housing; and

a spring means, said spring means biasing said latch bolt housing relative to said member;

said member having a top wall, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a rear wall, said rear wall having a recessed area for receiving a portion of a window top rail, said portion of said top rail being positioned between said top plate of said housing and said recess in said rear wall of said member;

said top wall of said member further comprising a recess for receiving a second portion of the window top rail, said second portion of said top rail being positioned between said top plate of said housing and said recess in said top wall of said member.

50. A latch for use in locking at least one sash of a sash window, said latch comprising:

a latch bolt housing, said latch bolt housing comprising a top plate with a recess, and a latch bolt tongue;

said latch further comprising a member that is slidably disposed in a cavity in said housing; and

a spring means, said spring means biasing said latch bolt housing relative to said member, said sash of said window having a stile and a top rail, said stile having a first orifice for said latch bolt tongue to extend therefrom, and said top rail having a second orifice for receiving said housing, said first and second orifices being separated by a portion of an outer surface of said stile and a portion of an outer surface of said top rail.

51. A latch, for use in locking at least one sash of a sash window, said latch comprising:

(a) a latch bolt;

said latch bolt comprising a housing, said housing comprising at least one housing wall and a top plate, said top plate overhanging beyond said at least one housing wall, said top plate and said at least one housing wall forming a cavity with a first opening;

said top plate comprising a means of actuating said latch;

said housing further comprising a latch bolt tongue protruding from at least a portion of said at least one housing wall, said tongue protruding beyond said top plate, and said tongue comprising at least a generally flat bearing surface;

(b) a member, said member comprising a top wall, and at least one side wall extending from said top wall, said member having a first end and a second end;

said top wall at said first end having a recess;

said member having an end wall at said second end that connects said top wall and said at least one side wall;

said member being slidably disposed in said cavity of said latch bolt housing, and wherein at least a portion of said second end of said member protrudes from said first opening in said latch bolt housing;

said protruding portion of said second end having a recess; and

(c) a spring means, wherein said spring means biases said latch bolt relative to said member.

52. The latch according to claim 51 wherein said at least one housing wall of said latch bolt comprises a first side wall, a second side wall, and a bottom wall, said bottom wall connecting to at least a portion of said first side wall, and said bottom wall connecting to at least a portion of said second side wall.

53. The latch according to claim 52 wherein said latch bolt tongue protrudes from at least a portion of said first side wall, said second side wall, and said bottom wall.

54. The latch according to claim 53 wherein said at least one side wall of said member comprises a first side wall and a second side wall.

55. The latch according to claim 54 wherein said first and second sidewalls of said member extend from at least a portion of said top wall.

56. The latch according to claim 55 wherein said top wall of said member slidably contacts a bottom side of said top plate of said latch bolt housing.

57. The latch according to claim 56 wherein there is a gap between said top plate of said housing and said tongue.

58. The latch according to claim 57 wherein said gap between said top plate of said housing and said tongue is greater than said recess in said top wall at said first end of said member.

59. The latch according to claim 58 wherein said actuation means is a toggle button, and wherein said toggle button protrudes up from said top plate.

60. The latch according to claim 59 wherein said actuation means is a recess on said top plate.

61. The latch according to claim 60 wherein said spring means is a coil spring, and wherein said member further comprises a post, said post being capable of retaining an end of said coil spring.

62. The latch according to claim 61 wherein said first and second sidewall of said member further comprises a plurality of openings to subdivide said first and second sidewalls each into one or more narrow cantilevered members.

63. The latch according to claim 62 wherein each of said one or more cantilevered members have a downward protrusion, said one or more cantilevered members and said protrusions biasing said member so as to be provide said slidably contact between said top wall of said member and said bottom side of said top plate of said latch bolt housing

64. The latch according to claim 63 wherein said latch is installed by inserting said tongue of said housing into an opening in a rail of a window, and said latch thereafter being positioned so that said tongue protrudes out an opening in a stile.

65. The latch according to claim 64 wherein said positioning of said latch occurs by nesting said latch in said rail opening, one end of said opening in said rail being retained between said top plate of said housing and said recess of said top wall at said first end of said member;

a second end of said opening in said rail being retained between said top plate of said housing and said recess in said protruding portion of said second end of said member.

66. The latch according to claim 65 wherein said generally flat bearing surface of said tongue further comprises at least one angled groove, and wherein said at least one angled groove comprises a groove with a depth that varies across said surface of said tongue.

67. A latch for use in locking at least one sash of a sash window, said latch comprising:

a latch bolt housing, said latch bolt housing comprising a top plate with an upper and a lower surface;

a first and a second side wall extending from said lower surface of said top plate and being connected by a bottom wall;

a toggle button extending from said upper surface of said top plate; and

a latch bolt tongue, said latch bolt tongue extending from at least a portion of said first side wall and said second sidewall;

said latch further comprising a member that is slidably disposed in a cavity in said housing, said member having a top wall, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a rear wall, said top wall also having a first end and a second end, each of said first end and said second end of said top wall having a recess therein; and

a spring means, said spring means biasing said member outward from said latch bolt housing cavity;

said recessed area at said first end of said top wall of said member for receiving a first portion of an opening in a window top rail, said first portion of said top rail opening being positioned between said top plate of said housing and said recess at said first end of said top wall;

said recessed area at said second end of said top wall of said member for receiving a second portion of said opening in said window top rail, said second portion of said top rail opening being positioned between said top plate of said housing and said recess at said second end of said top wall;

said member thus abutting said window top rail enabling said spring means to thereby biasing said latch bolt housing, with said latch bolt tongue being biased out of an opening in a stile of said window.

68. A method of installing a window latch for a sash window, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a latch to engage a side jam flange on a master frame of said window, where said latches comprises;

(1) a latch bolt;

said latch bolt comprising a housing with a latch bolt tongue extending therefrom, said latch bolt tongue having at least a generally flat front surface, said housing further comprising a top plate, a bottom wall, and first and second side walls, said first and second sidewall extending from at least a portion of said top plate, said bottom wall connecting to at least a portion of said first and second side walls, said top plate, bottom wall and first and second side walls therein forming a cavity, said cavity having at least a first opening;

(2) a member, said member comprising a top wall and at least one side wall extending from said top wall;

said top wall having a first recess at a first end and a second recess at a second end of said top wall, said member being slidably disposed in said cavity of said latch bolt housing and protruding out an opening in said housing; and

(3) a spring means, wherein said spring means biases said member through said housing opening and out from said cavity, said latch bolt having one or more protrusions to limit outward travel of said member, and wherein at least a portion of said member protrudes from an opening in said latch bolt housing;

(4) a means for retracting said latch bolt, said means comprising a surface on said housing which may be contacted by a user;

(b) forming a pair of coordinated punched openings in said window, one of said coordinated punched openings being in a top rail of said window, and another of said coordinated punched openings being in a stile of said window;

(c) inserting said latch into said coordinated punched opening in said top rail of said window, said tongue being inserted first and being inserted so as to thereafter occupy said coordinated punched opening in said stile;

(d) applying pressure to oppose said bias between said housing and said member so as to compress said spring, and cause said member to be temporarily disposed within said housing cavity;

(e) receiving a first portion of said punched opening in said window top rail, said first portion of said punched top rail opening being positioned between said top plate of said housing and said recess at said first end of said top wall;

receiving a second portion of said punched opening in said window top rail, said second portion of said punched top rail opening being positioned between said top plate of said housing and said recess at said second end of said top wall;

(f) said member thus abutting said window top rail enabling said spring means to thereby biasing said latch bolt housing, with said latch bolt tongue being biased out of said coordinated punched opening in said stile of said window, with said generally flat surface of said latch bolt tongue being in line with said side jam flange on said master frame of said window;

69. The method according to claim 68 wherein said coordinated punched openings in the top rail and the stile are rectangular openings.

70. A latch, for use in locking at least one sash of a sash window, said latch comprising:

(a) a latch bolt;

said latch bolt comprising a housing, said housing comprising a top plate, a first and a second housing wall extending from said top plate, said top plate overhanging beyond at least a portion of said first housing wall and said second housing wall;

said top plate further comprising a means of actuating said latch;

said housing further comprising a latch bolt tongue protruding from at least a portion of said first and second housing walls, said tongue protruding beyond said top plate and creating a recess between said tongue and at least a portion of said top plate;

said tongue comprising at least a generally flat bearing surface;

(b) a member, said member comprising a first and a second member side wall, said first and second member side walls being joined by at least one connecting wall, said member having a first end and a second end;

said at least one connecting wall at said second end of said member having an end wall protruding therefrom, said end wall having a recess;

said member being slidably interconnected with said latch bolt housing; and

(c) a spring means, wherein said spring means biases said latch bolt relative to said member.

71. The latch according to claim 70 wherein at least a portion of said member extends beyond said latch bolt housing, and wherein at least a portion of said latch bolt housing extends beyond said member.

72. The latch according to claim 71 wherein said housing further comprises a cavity with an opening;

and wherein said first and second member side walls and said at least one connecting wall of said member form a cavity with an opening.

73. The latch according to claim 72 wherein at least a portion of said housing protrudes into said opening of said member to contact a portion of said member, said contact thereby limiting travel of said slidable interconnection in one direction.

74. The latch according to claim 73 wherein at least a second portion of said housing contacts a second portion of said member to thereby limit travel of said slidable interconnection in a second direction.

75. The latch according to claim 74 wherein said latch is installed by receiving a first portion of a window top rail, said first portion of said top rail being positioned between said recess formed by said tongue and said at least a portion of said top plate;

and by receiving a second portion of said window top rail, said second portion of said top rail being positioned between said top plate of said housing and said recess in said end wall of said second end of said member.

76. The latch according to claim 75 wherein said means of actuating said latch comprises a toggle button extending from said top plate.