Patent ID: 8182001
Filing Date: 2012-05-22
Classification: E05B,E05C,E06B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A window latch for a sliding window having a sliding sash, the window latch comprising: a latch plate; a housing including an engagement element, the engagement element movable from a locked position operatively engaged with the latch plate to an unlocked position disengaged from the latch plate, the engagement element having a channel formed therein; and a handle having an arm portion extending therefrom operatively coupled to the engagement element and being movable from a first position to a second position in a same direction the sliding sash moves to an open position, the handle operatively moving the engagement element from the locked position to the unlocked position as the handle is moved from the first position toward the second position; the handle being biased toward the first position only when the sliding sash is in a closed position; the handle being biased toward the second position by a first spring located in the channel of the engagement element, the handle being biased toward and retained in the second position only when the sliding sash is in the open position; and a second spring biasing the engagement element to the locked position; wherein the engagement element automatically moves from the unlocked position to the locked position when the sliding sash is moved to the closed position, and the handle automatically returns to the first position only when the engagement element is in the locked position, and the engagement element channel including a first wall and an opposing second wall, a shuttle being located within the channel between the first wall and the second wall, the first spring being located within the channel and operatively connected to the shuttle and first wall, the handle arm extending into the channel between the shuttle and the second wall.