High structural load window sash latch
View Patent ↗A high structural load window sash latch includes a load applying housing wrap that extends around the interior face of a window sash. The housing wrap transfers the majority of positive forces incident upon the sash to a latch housing, where the forces are transferred to a latch bolt and then to the window jamb. Further, two load-bearing screws also secure the latch housing to the sash, while a hold down screw prevents the housing from lifting.
1. A window sash that includes a window sash latch for securing the window sash to a window jamb comprising:
a meeting rail of the window sash having a top face and a bottom face;
a window sash latch attached to the top face of the meeting rail, the window sash latch including a movable latch bolt adapted to interface with the window jamb and a latch housing having:
a) a channel that at least partially surrounds the latch bolt, the channel permitting horizontal travel of the latch bolt such that the latch bolt may be extended into, or retracted from, the window jamb, the channel restraining the latch bolt from movement in two or more other directions, and
b) a housing wrap integral to the latch housing, the housing wrap extending around and down a portion of an interior face of the window sash; and
one or more fasteners for interconnecting the latch housing and the meeting rail of the window sash,
wherein the latch housing and integral housing wrap operate to transfer force between the window sash and the window jamb through the latch bolt.
2. The window sash of claim 1 further comprising:
a spring attached to the latch bolt and adapted to hold the latch bolt extended into the window jamb.
3. The window sash of claim 1 wherein the housing wrap portion of the latch housing is adapted to receive a positive force incident on the window sash and operates to transfer the positive force to the rest of the latch housing.
4. The window sash of claim 1 wherein the bottom surface of the latch bolt contacts and moves along the top face of the meeting rail of the window sash.
5. The window sash of claim 4 wherein the top face of the meeting rail of the window sash restrains the latch bolt from movement in a downwards direction, while not restraining the latch bolt from movement in a first sidewise direction orthogonal to the direction of horizontal travel of the latch bolt and in a second sideways direction orthogonal to the direction of horizontal travel of the latch bolt.
6. The window sash of claim 1 wherein at least one of the one or more fasteners extends through the latch housing into the meeting rail of the window sash and operates to transfer a negative force incident on the window sash to the latch housing.
7. The window sash of claim 1 wherein at least one of the one or more fasteners extends through the latch housing into the meeting rail of the window sash and is positioned near the exterior face of the window sash proximate to the window jamb.
8. The window sash of claim 1 wherein the latch bolt and latch housing are constructed from an impact resistant plastic.
9. The window sash of claim 1 wherein the latch bolt and latch housing are constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, steel, and die cast zinc.
10. The window sash of claim 1 wherein the latch bolt is adapted to interface with a track of the window jamb, the track extending at least partially the height of the window jamb, the track permitting vertical movement of the latch bolt while preventing inward and outward horizontal movement of the bolt.
11. The window sash of claim 1 wherein the window sash is a double-hung window sash.
12. The window sash of claim 1 wherein the window sash is a single-hung window sash.
13. The window sash of claim 1 wherein the channel of the latch housing surrounds at least portions of a top surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface of the latch bolt.
14. The window sash of claim 1 wherein the channel of the latch housing directly contacts at least portions of a top surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface of the latch bolt, the channel of the latch housing restraining the latch bolt from movement in an upwards direction, from movement in a first sidewise direction orthogonal the first side surface, and from movement in a second sideways direction orthogonal to the second side surface.
15. A window sash that includes a window sash latch for securing the window sash to a window jamb comprising:
a meeting rail of the window sash having a top face and a bottom face;
a window sash latch attached to the top face of the meeting rail, the window sash latch including:
a) a movable latch bolt adapted to interface with the window jamb;
b) a housing wrap, positioned on a top surface of the window sash and extending around and down a portion of an interior face of the window sash, the housing wrap including one or more upwardly extending vertical ears that provide a path for the latch bolt to travel horizontally in, such that the latch bolt may be extended into, or retracted from, the window jamb, the vertical ears further restraining the bolt from movement in one or more other directions;
c) a separate latch housing at least partially surrounding the latch bolt; and
one or more fasteners interconnecting the housing wrap, latch housing, and meeting rail of the window sash,
wherein the housing wrap operates to transfer force between the window sash and the window jamb through the latch bolt.
16. The window sash of claim 15 wherein the latch housing is constructed from an impact resistant plastic and the housing wrap is constructed from a metal.
17. The window sash of claim 15 wherein the vertical ears directly contact at least a first side surface and a second side surface of the latch bolt, the vertical ears restraining the latch bolt from movement in a first sidewise direction orthogonal to the first side surface and from movement in a second sideways direction orthogonal to the second side surface.
18. The window sash of claim 15 wherein the separate latch housing directly contacts at least portions of a top surface of the latch bolt, the separate latch housing restraining the latch bolt from movement in an upwards direction.
19. A window sash comprising:
a meeting rail of the window sash having a top face and a bottom face;
means for latching arranged above the top face of the meeting rail of the window sash, the means for latching adapted to interface with the window jamb;
means for providing a path for horizontal travel of the means for latching, such that the means for latching may move along the path to extended into, or retracted from, interfacing with the window jamb, the means for providing a path further preventing the means for latching from moving in two or more other directions; and
a housing wrap that extends around and down a portion of an interior face of the window sash,
wherein the housing wrap operates to transfer force between the window sash and the means for latching.
20. The window sash of claim 19 further comprising:
means for fastening the housing wrap to the window sash.