Patent Publication Number: US-9404295-B2

Title: Sliding sash secondary lock

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/313,013 filed Jun. 24, 2014 entitled Sliding Sash Secondary Lock which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of a sliding sash for a fenestration assembly and more particularly to a secondary lock for a sliding sash. A sliding slash is moved between a fully closed and opened position to allow ingress and egress from a structure. A primary lock secures the sliding sash in a fully closed position. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment an apparatus for a sliding fenestration sash assembly comprises a sliding sash sliding with a frame having a first longitudinal member including at least one aperture. A secondary lock mechanism includes a handle positioned in the sliding sash and being movable from a first handle position to a second handle position. A pin is operatively connected to the handle and movable between an extended position and a retracted position as the handle moves between the first handle position and the second handle position. The pin being biased into the aperture by the biasing member when the pin is aligned with the aperture. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a sliding sash in a fenestration opening. 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a handle and secondary lock taken generally along lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a partial isometric view of the secondary lock in a locked position. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the pin bias mechanism. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the sliding sash with the secondary lock in the disengaged unlocked position, taken generally from drawing line  5 - 8  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of the sliding sash with the secondary lock moving from the disengaged unlocked position toward the engaged locked position, taken generally from drawing line  5 - 8  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is cross-sectional view of the sliding sash with the secondary lock in the engaged and fully locked position, taken generally from drawing line  5 - 8  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the sliding sash with the secondary lock in the engaged but not locked position, taken generally from drawing line  5 - 8  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is an isometric view of a handle of one embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  a side view of the handle of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is an isometric view of a handle of another embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  side view of the handle of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is an isometric view of a handle of another embodiment. 
         FIG. 14  a side view of the handle of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is an isometric exploded view of one embodiment of a secondary lock. 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of a corner key and secondary lock assembly in a disengaged position, taken generally from drawing line  5 - 8  of  FIG. 1  in one embodiment. 
         FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of a corner key and secondary lock assembly in a disengaged position, taken generally from drawing line  5 - 8  of  FIG. 1  in one embodiment. 
         FIG. 18  is a close up view of the magnets in one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  a fenestration assembly  100  includes a frame  102  for an architectural element  104  as a sliding door or window in an opening for an architectural structure such as building. In one embodiment the sliding door  104  is a sliding door having a sliding sash  106  and a fixed sash  108 . However as discussed further below sliding sash  104  may be employed as a window or other type of fenestration structure. The window may be a double hung or single hung window or other type of windows known in the art that has a sliding sash. 
     To provide an orientation for discussion, the term outwardly direction will refer to the direction that faces away from the building structure that supports the fenestration assembly in a vector direction from the inside of the building structure toward the outside of the building structure. If a user is standing outside of a building and looking at the fenestration assembly the user would see the outwardly surfaces of the fenestration assembly. Similarly, if a person is standing inside of a building structure and looking at the fenestration assembly the user would see the inwardly surfaces of the fenestration assembly. 
     Unless otherwise indicated, the directions used herein reflect the orientation of a user facing the fenestration assembly from the interior of an enclosure or building structure. Inwardly includes the direction away from the window towards the user and the interior of an enclosure, up and down include the direction away from and toward the direction of gravity, while left and right include the direction as viewed by a user facing the window from the interior of an enclosure. The term front will include the surfaces facing the interior of the enclosure while the term back will include the surfaces or regions facing away from the interior of the enclosure. 
     In one embodiment fenestration assembly is a sliding door such as a sliding patio door having a sliding sash  106  that moves on a track operatively secured to the frame  102 . Sliding sash  106  may be an internal sliding sash in which sliding sash moves relative to fixed sash  108  such that sliding sash  106  is inward of fixe sash  108 . Stated another a plane defined by glazing  110  is inward of the plane defined by glazing  112  of fixed sash  108 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , frame  102  includes a header  114 , a sill  116  and a first jamb  118  and a second jamb  120 . Sliding sash  106  includes a top rail  122 , an opposing bottom rail  124 . The top rail  122  and bottom rail  124  are parallel to one another. Sliding sash  106  includes a first stile  126  and a second stile  128  spaced from and parallel to first stile  126 . First stile  126  and second still  128  are perpendicular to top rail  122  and bottom rail  124 . Sliding sash  106  may include a primary lock mechanism  131  of the type known in the art such as a mortise lock to operatively lock sliding sash  106  to first jamb  118 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , sliding sash  106  includes a secondary lock  130  operatively connected to second stile  128 . Secondary lock  130  locks sliding sash relative to frame  102  in a position other than a fully closed position. Sliding sash  106  is in a fully closed position when first stile  126  is adjacent to first jamb  118  of frame  102 . Sliding sash  106  may be moved by from the fully closed position to an open position by moving sliding sash  106  away from first jamb  118  toward second jamb  120 . In the embodiment of a sliding door, sliding sash  106  is slid on a track in the sill and/or header in direction away from first jamb  118  toward second jamb  120  to open the sliding door and back toward first jamb  118  to close the sliding door. 
     Second stile  128  includes a front or inwardly facing surface  132  an opposing outwardly or rear surface  132  and a leading edge surface  136  that extends between and is perpendicular to front surface  132  and rear surface  134 . Referring to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  secondary lock  130  includes a handle  138  having a free end  140 . In one embodiment handle  138  pivots between a disengaged position with free end  140  begin above a pivot end  142  and an engaged position in which free end  140  is below pivot end  142 . 
     In one embodiment handle  138  is located within second stile  128  that is remote from jamb  118  such that first stile  126  is adjacent jamb  118  when sliding sash  106  is in the fully closed position. First stile  126  is intermediate jamb  118  and second stile  128 . In one embodiment handle  138  is accessed by a user from leading edge surface  136  of second stile  128 . In one embodiment, handle  138  is not visible to a user when the user is standing inside the structure and looking directly outwardly. Of course it may be possible to view handle  138  if the user is at an angle to sliding sash  106  such that leading edge surface  136  is visible. In another embodiment (not shown) handle  138  may be positioned such that handle  138  may be activated through the interior surface or front surface  132 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3  secondary lock  130  includes an actuation mechanism  142  that mechanically converts the movement of handle  140  from the disengaged position to the engaged position to an up and down movement of a connector  144 . A bar  144  operatively connected to connector  144  is moved in a vector direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of second stile  128 . A pin assembly  148  is operatively secured to a distal end of bar  144 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4  pin assembly  148  includes a housing  150  that receives pin  152 . Pine  152  includes a base portion that is located within housing  150 . In one embodiment base portion of pin  152  has a diameter greater than the diameter of the opening  154  of housing  150 . Pin  152  includes a free end  156  having a beveled or rounded portion. Pin  152  is biased in a direction through opening  154  of housing  150  by a biasing member  158  which in one embodiment is a coil spring. Spring  158  is located within a hollow portion of housing  150  and extends between the base portion of pin  152  and a spring support member  160 . Spring support member  160  is operatively connected to bar  146  via a base clip  162 . In one embodiment spring support member  160  includes a pair of outwardly extending protrusions or guides  165  that extend from a bottom portion of spring support member  160  toward the top portion of spring support member  162  in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of spring support member  160 . Guide  165  locates spring support member  160  within a corresponding pair of recesses  167  in base clip  162 . In this manner spring support member  160  is able to slide through an aperture in base support  162 . Bass clip  162  includes a pair of tabs  164  proximate a top portion of base clip  162  that are received within a pair of apertures  166  in the bottom portion of housing  150 . In one embodiment pin has a generally cylindrical shape. In one embodiment pin may have a tapered end. In one embodiment pin is a locking member that includes a shape that is other than cylindrical. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3  a support  168  having an aperture  169  is operatively connected to header  122  of sliding sash  106  to provide a guide for pin  152 . Pin  152  extends through aperture  169  and is guided by the interior walls of aperture  169  as pin  152  moves between an engaged and disengaged positions. Support  168  provides lateral support and strength of secondary lock for pin  152 . 
     Pin  152  is removably received within an aperture  170  in header  114 . In one embodiment a guide plate  172  is operatively secured to header  114 . Guide plate  172  includes at least one aperture in alignment with aperture  170  in header  114 . Guide plate  172  includes a generally planar surface  174  and a first beveled portion  176  extending from one end of planar surface  174 . Beveled portion  176  provides a ramp for pin  156  to ride upon and be guided onto planar surface  174  as sliding sash is moved between the closed position and open position. In one embodiment as second beveled portion  177  extends from a second end of planar surface  174 . 
     When pin  152  is engaged in aperture  170  in header  114  any movement of sliding sash  106  in the inward/outward direction or left/right direction will be resisted by contact of pin  152  both one or both the walls of aperture  170 , the edge of the corresponding aperture in guide plate  172  and/or the aperture in support  168 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2  secondary lock  130  is in a first locked position with handle  138  in an engaged position with free end  140  of handle  138  in a generally downward orientation. In the first locked position, sliding sash  106  is in the closed position with stile  128  adjacent  118 . Pin  152  extends upward into aperture  178  thereby providing a lock of sliding sash  106  relative to frame  102 . It is contemplated that a traditional primary is provided locking sliding sash  106  directly to jamb  118 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , secondary lock  130  is in a disengaged position with pin  152  being in a lowered withdrawn position such that pin  152  is not located within aperture  170  and does not impede the movement of sliding sash  106  relative to jamb  118  as the sliding sash  106  is moved toward and away from jamb  118 . In one embodiment stile  126  of sliding sash  106  is moved away from jamb  118  a set distance until pin assembly  148  is located directly beneath aperture  170  in header  114 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6  once sliding sash  106  is positioned between a fully closed position in which stile  126  is adjacent jamb  118  and a fully opened position such that pin assembly  148  is directly below or in longitudinal alignment aperture  170  secondary lock  130  may be activated. In one embodiment, it may be desired to space sliding sash a distance sufficient to allow air to enter between sliding sash  106  and jamb  118  but less than a distance that would allow a person to enter between the sliding sash and jamb. For example if the rail  126  was spaced six inches from jamb  118  in a direction toward jamb  120 , air would be allowed to enter the structure between sliding sash  106  and frame  102  but a person would not be allowed to enter through the six inch space. Secondary lock  130  may be used to lock sliding sash  106  in a fixed position between the closed and fully opened position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6  sliding sash  106  is positioned a fixed distance from jamb  118  such that pin  152  is positioned directly under aperture  170  or stated another way depending on the orientation of secondary lock  106  and aperture  170 , the longitudinal axis of pin assembly  158  is in longitudinal alignment with aperture  170 . In this aligned position, handle  138  is moved by a user from the disengaged position to an engaged position by moving free end  140  of handle  138  from a first position to a second position as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . In the engaged position handle operatively moves bar  144  in a direction toward header  114  such that free end  156  of pin  152  is moved into aperture  170  in header  114 . In this manner sliding sash  106  is locked in a position between a fully closed position and a fully opened position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , secondary lock  130  handle  138  may be moved from a disengaged position to an engaged position when pin assembly  148  is not in longitudinal alignment with aperture  170 . In this scenario, as end  140  is moved from the disengaged to engaged position free end  156  of pin  152  is moved toward header  114 . If pin assembly is not in longitudinal alignment with the longitudinal axis of aperture  170  then free end  156  of pin  152  will abut against a surface  174  of guide plate  172 . As pin  152  is moved against the surface  174  of guide plate  172  pin  152  moves into the cavity of guide  150  by depressing spring  158 . Once sliding sash  106  is moved to a position such the longitudinal axis of pin  152  is alignment with aperture  170  the spring force of spring  158  will bias pine  152  from housing  150  such that the free end of pin  156  and the upper portion of pin  152  will be received within aperture  170 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 15  when secondary lock  130  is moved to the engaged position when the longitudinal axis of pin assembly  148  is positioned outside of the guide plate  174  the free end  156  of pin  152  will engage the exposed portion of header  114 . Pin  152  will be moved into housing  150  as bar  146  is moved toward header  114 . Similar to the discussion above, spring  158  will be compressed to allow pin  152  to enter housing  150 . As sliding sash  106  is moved left and/or right free end  156  of pin  152  will slide along header  114  until the free end  156  contacts guide plate  172 . Beveled regions  176  and  178  provide a ramped entrance to surface  174  of guide plate  172 . The curved or beveled portion of free end  156  of pin  152  permit pine  152  to easily make the transition from direct contact with header  114  and guide plate  172 . Spring  158  maintains the free end  156  of pin  152  in contact with header  114 , beveled portion  176  or  178  and surface  174  of guide plate  172  as sliding sash is moved relative to frame  102 . When sliding sash  106  is moved to a position where the longitudinal axis of pin assembly  148  is in alignment with the longitudinal axis of aperture  170  spring  158  biases pin  152  into aperture  170 . 
     In one embodiment more than one aperture is provided in header  114 . Referring to  FIG. 3  a second aperture  178  is provided to allow a user to select between more than one location to lock sliding sash to frame  102  between the fully closed and fully opened position. 
     To disengage secondary lock  130 , a user manipulates handle  138  by moving free end  140  from the engaged position to the disengaged position. The movement of handle  188  from the engaged to disengaged position operatively moves bar  144  away from aperture  170  or  178  and removes pin  152  from aperture  170  or  178 . In the disengaged position, sliding sash  106  is free to move back to the fully closed position and or any other position between the fully closed position and fully open position. 
     In one embodiment biasing member  158  may be a magnet or other type of mechanism that will act to bias pin  152  into aperture  170  or  178 . In one embodiment a magnet may positioned within housing  150  that provides a magnetic force against pin  152  that biases pin  152  toward header  114 . In this embodiment a first magnet may be located proximate the base of housing  150  and/or on bias support member  160 . A second magnet may be located on or within pin  152  so that a magnetic force biasing pin  152  toward header is created. Alternatively, a magnet may be positioned within or proximate aperture  170  of header  114  to provide a magnetic force attracting pin  152  toward header  114  and/or within aperture  170  or  178 . In this embodiment pin  152  would not impact or contact header  114  or guide plate  172  when handle is moved to the engage position. Rather in this embodiment pin  152  would only be biased into aperture  170  or  178  when pin  152  was in longitudinal alignment with aperture  170  or  178 . 
     It also contemplated that sliding sash  106  may be an external sliding sash in which sliding sash  106  is outward of fixed sash  108 . In this type of sliding door the plane defined by glazing  110  of exterior sliding sash is outward of the plane defined by glazing  112  of fixed sash  108 . Since leading edge  136  of second stile  128  would be outside of the structure when the external sliding sash was moved to a partially open position a secondary lock located on the second stile  128  would be accessible from the outside of the structure but would not operate as an effective lock from within the inside of the structure. A secondary lock could be positioned on the first stile that is closer to the jamb that the sliding sash is locked to in the closed position. However, in this position a person from the exterior of the structure would have easy access to manipulate the handle and move the secondary lock to the disengaged and unlocked position. In one embodiment secondary lock  130  handle  138  is located on first stile and provided with a key lock that would prevent unauthorized manipulation of the secondary lock without a key. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9-14  other handles are contemplated to manipulate pin assembly  148 . Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10  a handle  180  is positioned within second stile  128  and moves between a first position in which an exposed surface  182  is substantially parallel with a plane defined by the leading edge surface  136  when the secondary lock is in a disengaged position in which exposed surface  182  is at an angle relative to the plane defined by the leading edge surface  136  when the secondary lock is in the engaged position. In this embodiment, handle  180  provides a visual indicator that the secondary lock in the engaged and/or disengaged position. The visual indicator being whether the angle of the exposed surface  182  is co-planar with the plane defined by the leading edge surface  136  or not. The solid and dashed lines in  FIG. 9  illustrate the movement of the secondary lock between the disengaged position (solid lines) and engaged position (dashed lines). Similar to handle  138  discussed above handle  180  operates completely between the inner surface  132  and outer surface  134  of second stile  128 . Handle  180  is located within a recess  181  of second stile  128  when secondary lock is in the disengaged position. A beveled finger depression  183  extends from leading edge surface  136  toward recess  181  to allow a user to easily engage a free end of handle  180  to move handle  180  from the disengaged position to the engaged position thereby moving pin  132  toward and away from header  114 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , in one embodiment a handle  182  positioned within second stile  128  and moves between a first position in which an exposed surface  182  is remains substantially parallel with a plane defined by the leading edge surface  136  when the secondary lock is both in a disengaged position and an engaged position. A lateral edge  184  of handle  182  however extends beyond the outer surface  134  or in an alternative embodiment extends beyond inner surface  132  when secondary lock  130  is in the engaged position. When secondary lock  130  is in the disengaged position handle  182  is located fully between the inner surface  132  and outer surface  134  of stile  128 . Handle  182  is positioned within a recess  185  in second stile  128  from leading edge surface  136 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , in one embodiment a handle  190  is used to activate secondary lock  130 . Handle  190  includes a first exposed surface  191  that is substantially parallel with the leading edge surface  136  of second stile  128 . Handle  190  moves in a direction toward and away from header  114  to move the secondary lock from an engaged and disengaged position. Handle  190  includes side portions  200 ,  202  that may are accessible from surface  132  and  134  of second stile  128 . In this manner handle  190  may manipulated by a user engaging surfaces  200  and  202  with a thumb and index finger and sliding the handle  190  in the upwardly and downwardly direction toward and away from header  114 . Handle  190  operates completely within a recess  198  of second stile  136  defined as a region from lading surface  136  toward first stile  126 . In one embodiment a region  196  may have a color or other indicia that indicates that the lock is in the engaged position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15  in one embodiment, biasing element  158  is not included in housing  150 .  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15  are not drawn to scale. Note that the components may have different shapes and different relative shapes. Specifically housing  150  and pin  152  may have varying lengths and sizes depending on the location of the handle of secondary lock  130 ,  230  relative to the header. In one embodiment a magnet is provided in the upper end of pin  152  proximate free end  156 . A second magnet is provided in header  114  within apertures  170  and/or  178 . In this embodiment, the guide plate  172  may be eliminated and/or ramp portions  176  and  177  may be eliminated. In this embodiment when handle  138  is moved from a non-engaged to an engaged position the free end  156  of pin  152  is not biased against header  114 . Accordingly, a guide plate  174  and ramps  176 ,  177  are not required. In this embodiment when secondary lock  130  is in the engaged position housing  150  and pin  152  are moved toward header  114 . However, in the engaged position of secondary lock  130  the free end  156  is located a distance below header  114 . In the engaged position the free end  156  of pin  152  enters aperture  170  into header  114  only when the door is opened to a position where pin  152  is directly below aperture  170 . When pin  152  is directly below the aperture  170  and/or  178  in header  114  the magnetic force between the magnet within pin  152  and the magnet within aperture  170  causes the pin to move upwardly into aperture  170  or  178  in the header  114 . Pin  152  moves within housing  150  between a disengaged position in which the free end  156  of pin  152  is located below header  114  and an engaged position in which free end  156  of pin  152  is located within aperture  170  or  178  in header  114 . 
     In this embodiment ramp  176  and  177  may not be needed since there is no need to provide a surface for the upper end or free end  156  of pin  152  to ride along when the secondary lock  130  handle  138  is in the engaged position. Stated another way in this embodiment, the free end  156  of pin  152  remains below header  114  until the longitudinal axis of pin  152  is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the aperture  170  or  178 . 
     In one embodiment, one of the magnets in pin  152  and header  114  is replaced with a metal material such that there is a magnetic force between the metal material and the magnet that causes pin  152  to move upwardly into aperture  170  or  178  in header  114  when pin  152  in directly below aperture  170  or  178 . Stated another way when the longitudinal axis of the pin  152  is substantially aligned with or co-linear with the longitudinal axis of aperture  170  or  178  a magnetic force between the magnet and metal material causes pin  152  to move along its longitudinal axis in a direction toward the header such that the free end of pin  152  is positioned within aperture  170  or  178  of header  114 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 15  a secondary lock  230  includes a mechanism  232  that both translates housing  150  and pin  152  along the longitudinal axis of pin  152  in a direction  252  and rotates pin  152  about its longitudinal axis in a direction  254 . In one embodiment a pair of correlated magnets programmable magnets  234  and  236  as known in the art are positioned proximate free end  156  of pin  152  and within header  114  proximate or within aperture  170  and/or  178 . Correlated magnets are of the type developed by Correlated Magnetics Research, LLC and generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,800,471 and the patents that claim priority thereto and which is incorporated herein by reference. In one embodiment the correlated magnets  234 ,  236  are programmed to attract one another with a prescribed force and with a predetermined engagement distance such that pin  152  will be biased into aperture  170  or  178  only when the longitudinal axis  256  of pin  152  is substantially co-planar or coplanar with the longitudinal axis  258  of aperture  170  or  178 . In one embodiment the correlated magnets  234 ,  236  are programmed such that the magnetic force will occur between the magnet in pin  152  and aperture  170  or  178  only when the magnets are rotationally aligned. By way of a non-limiting example, correlated magnet  234  may have varying polarity at locations  238 ,  240  and  242  that oppositely correspond to locations  246 , 248  and  250  respectively on magnet  236 . Accordingly, pin  152  will only be biased into aperture  170  or  178  when the magnet in pin  152  is rotationally aligned about the longitudinal axis of pin  152  that is aligned with the rotational orientation of the magnet within aperture  170  or  178  respectively. In one example magnet  234  and  236  are only attracted toward one another when elements  238 ,  240  and  234  are aligned with elements  246 ,  248  and  20  respectively. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 16 and 17  a corner key  260  is positioned within top rail  122  and stile  128  to operatively secure top rail  122  and stile  128  together. Pin  152  moves along and about its longitudinal axis  256  within a longitudinal channel within corner key  260 . Referring to  FIGS. 16, 17 and 18  a housing  262  operatively supports magnet  236  within header  114 . An opening in housing  262  received the free end for pin  152  when the secondary lock is in the engaged position. In one embodiment the face of magnet  234  facing header  114  and the face of magnet  236  facing sliding sash  104  are proximate one another when the secondary lock is in the engaged position. In another embodiment, magnet  234  in pin  236  may extend through an aperture in magnet  236  and either be co-planar magnet  236  or be located above magnet  236 . Stated another way magnet  234  may extend through an aperture in magnet  236  and be located further from sliding sash  104  than magnet  236 . Housing  262  may used in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 15 . Housing  262  may hold magnet  236  and provide aperture  170 . 
     In one embodiment movement of handle  138  only acts to rotate pin  152  about the longitudinal axis  258  of pin  152 . As the sliding sash is moved from the closed to open position magnets bias the free end of the pin into the aperture. To disengage the free end of pin  152  from the aperture a user activates handle  138  to rotate pin about the longitudinal axis of the pin thereby breaking the magnetic bond between the first and second correlated magnets. The force of gravity will cause the free end of the pin to drop downwardly away from and out of the aperture allowing the sash to be moved to a fully open or fully closed position. In one embodiment a biasing member such as spring  158  that bias pin  152  away from header  114 . In this embodiment the magnetic force between the first and second correlated magnets is stronger than the biasing force of sprint  158  such that when pin  152  is substantially rotationally and/or axially aligned with aperture  170  or  178  the force of the correlated magnets will overcome the force of the spring  158  and the free end of pin  152  will enter into aperture  170  or  178 . When a user activates the handle of secondary lock  230  pin  152  rotates about its longitudinal axis thereby breaking the magnetic force of the correlated magnets  234  and  236 . As a result the biasing force of spring  158  will retract the free end  156  of pin  152  from aperture  170  thereby releasing the secondary lock and allowing the sash to move relative to the header or longitudinal member. 
     It is important to note that the apparatus and methods as described herein are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements and vice versa, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present inventions as expressed in the appended claims.