IP Library Granted Patent US 8,776,442
Granted Patent B1
US 8,776,442 · App. 13/803,937 · Granted Jul 15, 2014

Window vent latch sheath and method

Inventor: Barry G. Lawrence (Thomasville, NC)
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,776,442
App. No.
13/803,937
Granted
Jul 15, 2014
Kind
B1
Abstract

A sheath for a window vent latch having a housing defining a slot sized to allow a vent latch to fit therein, and a spring attached to the housing for engaging the inside of a conventional window jamb. A method of seating a window vent latch in a window frame including the steps of providing a vent latch in a vent latch sheath having a housing and a spring, a window with a window frame having a window jamb, placing the vent latch sheath in the window jamb while allowing the spring to engage the window jamb, and adjusting the vent latch housing along the window jamb.

Claims (22)

1. A sheath for a window vent latch comprising: a housing, said housing defining a slot and a front surface, said slot sized to allow a vent latch to fit therein, said front surface defining a ramp, a resilient U-shaped member, a first end of said resilient member attached to a first end of said housing and a second opposing end of said resilient member attached to a second, longitudinally opposing end of said housing, wherein said U-shaped member extends from said first end of said housing to said second, longitudinally opposing end of said housing and wherein a curvature of said U-shaped member extends in a longitudinal direction such that a concavity of said U-shaped member faces said housing.

2. The sheath of claim 1 wherein said ramp has a longitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of said housing.

3. The sheath of claim 2 wherein a height of said ramp decreases along a length thereof.

4. The sheath of claim 3 wherein said ramp length is less than a length of said housing.

5. The sheath of claim 1 further comprising a lip, said lip affixed to said housing.

6. The sheath of claim 1 wherein said housing defines an aperture, said aperture sized to receive a fastener.

7. The sheath of claim 6 further defining a recess, said recess located on said housing, said aperture positioned within said recess.

8. A sheath for a window vent latch comprising: a housing, said housing defining a front surface and a ramp, a lip, said lip affixed to said housing, said housing further defining an elliptical slot, said slot sized to receive a vent latch, a resilient U-shaped member, a first end of said resilient member attached to a first end of said housing and a second opposing end of said resilient member attached to a second, longitudinally opposing end of said housing, a recess, said housing defining an aperture, said aperture positioned within said recess on said housing, wherein said resilient U-shaped member extends from said first end of said housing to said second, longitudinally opposing end of said housing.

9. The sheath of claim 8 wherein said ramp has a longitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of said housing.

10. The sheath of claim 9 wherein a height of said ramp decreases along a length thereof.

11. The sheath of claim 10 wherein said ramp length is less than a length of said housing.

12. A method of seating a window vent latch in a window frame comprising the steps of:

a) providing the window vent latch sheath of claim 1 and a vent latch therein, and a window with a window jamb;

b) placing the vent latch sheath in the window jamb while allowing the resilient member to engage the window jamb; and

c) adjusting the vent latch sheath along the window jamb.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein providing the vent latch sheath further includes the step of providing the housing with a longitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the ramp.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein providing the housing with the ramp further includes the step of providing a ramp with a length less than the length of the housing.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein providing the housing with the ramp further includes the step of providing a ramp with a height decreasing along the length thereof.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of affixing the housing in the window frame with a fastener.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of providing a second vent latch in a second vent latch sheath having a housing with a ramp and a resilient member.

18. The method of claim 17 including the step of installing the second vent latch in the second vent latch sheath in the window frame opposite the first vent latch.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of aligning the respective vent latch sheaths by offsetting them from one another.

Assignments (4)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 10, 2026
From: QUANEX HARDWARE SOLUTIONS LLC (F/K/A AMESBURY INDUSTRIES INC.)
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 073747/0058 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 27, 2024
From: LAWRENCE, BRANDON
To: AMESBURY INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 066571/0923 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 27, 2024
From: LAWRENCE, BARRY G.
To: AMESBURY INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 066572/0013 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 27, 2024
From: LAWRENCE, RANDY
To: AMESBURY INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 066572/0063 →
Continuity (1)
Continuation In Part 13669524 · Nov 6, 2012