Patent Publication Number: US-10323446-B2

Title: Integrated sash lock and tilt latch combination with improved interconnection capability therebetween

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/198,986, filed on Mar. 6, 2014, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to improvements in locks and tilt latches for slidable sash windows, and more particularly to improvements to an integral sash lock/tilt latch combination. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Single hung and double hung sliding sash windows are commonly used today in the construction of residential and commercial buildings. Sash locks are typically mounted to the meeting rail of the bottom sash window to lock the sash or sashes, by preventing the lower sash (or both the lower and upper sashes for a double hung window), from being opened through sliding movement relative to the master window frame. Also, in order to assist in the cleaning of the exterior of these sliding sash windows, it is common for window manufacturers to incorporate a tilt latch device thereon that permits one end of the sliding sash window to be released from the track of the master window frame. This allows the sash window to be pivoted into the room, for easy access to the exterior surface of the glazing that is normally exposed to the exterior environment of the building. 
     The present invention seeks to provide improvements to such window hardware in the form of an integrated sash lock and tilt latch fastener for single hung or double hung windows. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a sash lock to prevent relative sliding movement of one or both sliding sash windows that are slidable within a master window frame. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a tilt latch to permit pivoting of a sliding sash window inwardly into the room in which the window is installed. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a combination sash lock and tilt latch that act cooperatively through the use of a single handle member. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a sash lock that may be easily installed upon the meeting rail of the sliding sash window without the use of mechanical fasteners, and may also be easily removed therefrom. 
     It is also an object of the invention to provide a tilt latch device that may be blindly coupled to a sash lock for cooperative interaction and actuation therefrom. 
     Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawing figures. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An integral sash locking and tilt latching fastener for a sliding sash window includes a lock assembly and a latch assembly. The sash lock assembly is configured to be releasably mounted to the top of the meeting rail of the sash window without screws, and includes a locking cam pivotally mounted to the sash lock housing, and is thereby configured to rotate out from a cavity in the housing to releasably engage a keeper on the master window frame, to inhibit sliding movement of the sash window. The sash lock may also include a pivotable lever arm with a post that is configured to extend beyond the lock housing, and into the hollow of the meeting rail. 
     The latch may include a biasing means and a latch member that may be slidably received within the side of the meeting rail. The biasing means and latch member may alternatively be received into a latch housing for ease of its installation into the meeting rail. The latch member may include a tongue and a flexible beam extending away from the tongue. The end of the beam distal from the tongue may include a fixed funnel member and a flexible funnel member. The fixed funnel member and the flexible funnel member may be configured to permit the latch assembly to blindly engage the pivotable lever arm of the lock assembly within the meeting rail, when installed therein. The flexible funnel member may deflect during such engagement, so that the post of the pivotal lever arm protruding into the interior hollow of the meeting rail may be received within an opening formed by the fixed funnel member and the flexible funnel member. The biasing member of the latch assembly may be configured to normally bias the latch member so that a portion of the tongue protrudes out from the meeting rail, and simultaneously biases the locking cam of the sash lock towards the latched position. 
     The locking cam may have a graspable shaft portion that protrudes upwardly, out from an orifice in the sash lock housing, to permit actuation of the device (cam rotation) by a user. Alternatively, the cam may have a separate handle member secured thereto, which may facilitate easy rotation and counter-rotation of the cam. 
     In addition to being configured to properly engage the key of the keeper to lock the sash to prevent its sliding movement, the locking cam may be configured to selectively drive the pivotable lever arm of the sash lock, and may include three key positions. The locking cam and handle combination may have a first position, in which the sash lock is locked to prevent sliding movement, and the sash latch is latched to prevent pivoting of the sash window. The locking cam and handle combination may have a second position, in which the sash lock is unlocked and the window is free to undergo sliding movement, but the sash latch remains latched to still prevent pivoting of the sash window. The locking cam and handle combination may also have a third position, in which the sash lock is still unlocked and free to undergo sliding movement, but the sash latch is also unlatched, so that the sash window may be pivoted inwardly. Movement of the locking cam and handle combination from the second position to the third position causes the cam to drive the pivotable lever arm to rotate, so that the arm engages the fixed funnel member of the latch assembly, and overcomes the biasing of the latch spring to cause translation of the latch into the retracted position. 
     The housing of the lock assembly may include one or more hooked legs that are configured to be received within one or more corresponding openings in the top of the meeting rail, for the releasable mounting of the lock assembly thereto, without screws. The lock assembly may be releasably secured in this position by a leaf spring that is fixedly secured to the underneath of the sash lock housing, and which has a portion that protrudes out beyond the sash lock housing to engage in one of the openings in the meeting rail. Removal of the sash lock may be easily accomplished by using a pry tool to deflect the leaf spring from its engagement in the rail opening, to permit appropriate sliding and pivoting of the sash lock assembly to effect removal of its legs from the openings in the meeting rail. 
     The keeper may be similarly constructed to accomplish its releasable securement to the master window frame, or to the other sash member, which may be slidable (double-hung) or may be fixed (single hung sash window). 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a cross-sectional side view of a left-handed version of the integrated sash lock/tilt latch fastener of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is a cross-sectional side view of a right-handed version of the integrated sash lock/tilt latch fastener of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of the housing for the sash lock assembly of the integrated sash lock/tilt latch fastener of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 3A  is a first perspective view of the interior of the housing of the sash lock assembly of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 3B  is a second perspective view of the interior of the housing of the sash lock assembly of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the sash lock housing of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the sash lock housing of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a rear view of the sash lock housing of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the sash lock housing of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 8  is a first end view of the sash lock housing of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 9  is a second end view of the sash lock housing of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the shaft/handle member of the sash lock assembly of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 11  is a second perspective view of the shaft/handle member of the sash lock assembly of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of the shaft/handle member of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of the shaft/handle member of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is a bottom view of the shaft/handle member of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 15  is a first end view of the shaft/handle member of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 16  is a second end view of the shaft/handle member of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the locking cam of the sash lock assembly of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 18  is a second perspective view of the locking cam of the sash lock assembly of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 19  is a top view of the locking cam of  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 20  is a first end view of the locking cam of  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 21  is a second end view of the locking cam of  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 22  is a bottom view of the locking cam of  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 23  is a top view of the locking cam of  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 24  is a bottom view of the locking cam of  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view of the lever arm of the sash lock assembly of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 26  is a second perspective view of the lever arm of the sash lock assembly of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 27  is a top view of the lever arm of  FIG. 25 . 
         FIG. 28  is a first end view of the lever arm of  FIG. 27 . 
         FIG. 29  is a second end view of the lever arm of  FIG. 27 . 
         FIG. 30  is a bottom view of the lever arm of  FIG. 27 . 
         FIG. 31  is a front view of the lever arm of  FIG. 27 . 
         FIG. 32  is a rear view of the lever arm of  FIG. 27 . 
         FIG. 33  is a perspective view of the engagement spring of the sash lock assembly of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 34  is a second perspective view of the engagement spring of the sash lock assembly of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 35  is a front view of the engagement spring of  FIG. 33 . 
         FIG. 36  is a top view of the engagement spring of  FIG. 35 . 
         FIG. 37  is an end view of the engagement spring of  FIG. 35 . 
         FIG. 38  is a perspective view of the detent spring of the sash lock assembly of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 39  is a bottom perspective view of the sash lock assembly of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 40  is a bottom view of the sash lock assembly of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 41  is a front view of the sash lock assembly of  FIG. 40 . 
         FIG. 42  is the bottom view of the sash lock assembly of  FIG. 40 , shown in a reduced size, and with the cam/shaft/handle combination shown in the locked and latched position. 
         FIG. 43  is the bottom view of  FIG. 42 , but shown with the cam/handle combination shown in the unlocked and latched position. 
         FIG. 44  is the bottom view of  FIG. 43 , but shown with the cam/shaft/handle combination shown in the sash unlocked and unlatched position. 
         FIG. 45  is the bottom view of  FIG. 44 , but shown with the cam/shaft/handle combination counter-rotated back into the sash unlocked and latched position. 
         FIG. 46  is a first perspective view of the housing of the latch assembly of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 47  is a second perspective view of the housing of the latch assembly of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 48  is a third perspective view of the housing of the latch assembly of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 49  is a fourth perspective view of the housing of the latch assembly of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 50  is a front view of the latch housing of  FIG. 46 . 
         FIG. 51  is a first end view of the latch housing of  FIG. 50 . 
         FIG. 52  is a second end view of the latch housing of  FIG. 50 . 
         FIG. 53  is a rear view of the latch housing of  FIG. 50 . 
         FIG. 54  is a top view of the latch housing of  FIG. 50 . 
         FIG. 55  is a bottom view of the latch housing of  FIG. 50 . 
         FIG. 56  is a first perspective view of the latch member of the latch assembly of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 57  is a second perspective view of the latch member of the latch assembly of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 58  is a third perspective view of the latch member of the latch assembly of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 59  is a fourth perspective view of the latch member of the latch assembly of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 60A  is a front view of the latch member of  FIG. 56 , shown with a tongue, and with a dual beam and funnel members. 
         FIG. 60B  is a bottom view of the latch member of  FIG. 60A . 
         FIG. 60C  is a top view of the latch member of  FIG. 60A . 
         FIG. 60D  is a rear view of the latch member of  FIG. 60A . 
         FIG. 60E  is a first end view of the latch member of  FIG. 60A . 
         FIG. 60F  is a second end view of the latch member of  FIG. 60A . 
         FIG. 61A  is a first perspective view of the latch member of  FIG. 56 , but with one of the two sets of beams and funnel members having been removed therefrom for a length adjustment. 
         FIG. 61B  is a second perspective view of the singular latch member of  FIG. 61A . 
         FIG. 62  is an exploded view of the parts of the latch assembly of the integrated sash lock/tilt latch fastener of  FIG. 1A , including the latch housing, the latch member with two sets of beams and funnel members, and the biasing spring. 
         FIG. 63  is a side view of the latch assembly formed by the parts shown in  FIG. 62 . 
         FIG. 64  is a perspective view of the latch assembly of  FIG. 63 , shown with the tongue biased into the extended position. 
         FIG. 65  is a perspective view of the latch assembly of  FIG. 64 , shown with the tongue in the retracted position. 
         FIG. 66  is a first perspective view of the keeper to be engaged by the cam of the sash lock assembly of the integrated sash lock/tilt latch fastener of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 67  is a second perspective view of the keeper of  FIG. 66 . 
         FIG. 68  is a front view of the keeper of  FIG. 66 . 
         FIG. 69  is a first end view of the keeper of  FIG. 68 . 
         FIG. 70  is a second end view of the keeper of  FIG. 68 . 
         FIG. 71  is a rear view of the keeper of  FIG. 68 . 
         FIG. 72  is a top view of the keeper of  FIG. 68 . 
         FIG. 73  is a bottom view of the keeper of  FIG. 68 . 
         FIG. 74  is a perspective view of the engagement spring of the keeper. 
         FIG. 75  is a bottom perspective view of the keeper of  FIG. 66 . 
         FIG. 76  is a first perspective view of the keeper of  FIG. 75  and the engagement spring of  FIG. 74 , after being assembled together. 
         FIG. 77  is a second perspective view of the keeper and engagement spring assembly of  FIG. 76 . 
         FIG. 78  is a front view of the keeper and engagement spring assembly of  FIG. 76 . 
         FIG. 79  is a bottom view of the keeper and engagement spring assembly of  FIG. 78 . 
         FIG. 80  is a perspective view of the master window frame (or fixed sash member or second sliding sash member) that is configured to releasably receive the keeper and engagement spring assembly of  FIG. 76 . 
         FIG. 81  is a top view of the window frame of  FIG. 80 . 
         FIG. 82  is an end view of the window frame of  FIG. 81 . 
         FIG. 83  is a bottom view of the window frame of  FIG. 81 . 
         FIG. 84  is a side view illustrating insertion of the first hooked leg of the keeper and engagement spring assembly of  FIG. 76 , into a first corresponding opening in the window frame of  FIG. 80 . 
         FIG. 85  is the side view of  FIG. 85 , after insertion of both the first hooked leg and the second leg of the keeper and engagement spring assembly of  FIG. 76 , into the corresponding openings in the window frame of  FIG. 80 . 
         FIG. 86  is the side view of  FIG. 85 , after sliding of both the first hooked leg and the second hooked leg of the keeper assembly laterally within the corresponding openings in the window frame, and with the engagement spring engaging one of the openings to releasably secure the keeper to the window frame. 
         FIG. 87  is a perspective view showing the keeper assembly of  FIG. 76  releasably installed upon the window frame of  FIG. 80 . 
         FIG. 88  is a perspective view of the frame of a sliding sash window configured to receive the integrated sash lock/tilt latch fastener of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 89  is a top view of the sliding sash window frame of  FIG. 88 . 
         FIG. 90  is an end view of the sliding sash window frame of  FIG. 89 . 
         FIG. 91  is a bottom view of the sliding sash window frame of  FIG. 89 . 
         FIG. 92  is a side view illustrating insertion of the first hooked leg of the sash lock assembly of  FIG. 39  into a first corresponding opening in the sliding sash window frame of  FIG. 88 . 
         FIG. 93  is the side view of  FIG. 92 , after insertion of each of the first hooked leg, the second leg, and the third leg of the sash lock assembly into the corresponding openings in the sliding sash window frame. 
         FIG. 94  is the side view of  FIG. 93 , after sliding of each of the first, second, and third legs of the sash lock assembly laterally within the corresponding openings in the sliding sash window frame, and with the engagement spring engaging one of the openings to releasably secure the sash lock assembly to the sliding sash window frame. 
         FIG. 94A  is a perspective view of the sash lock assembly releasably secured to the sliding sash window frame, as seen in  FIG. 94 . 
         FIG. 95  illustrates size adjustment of the latch member with the dual beam and funnel members of  FIG. 56  into the latch member of  FIG. 60  with a singular beam and funnel members, just prior to insertion into the sliding sash window frame having the sash lock assembly secured thereon, as seen in  FIG. 94 . 
         FIG. 96  is the perspective view of the sash lock assembly seen in  FIG. 39 , but shown reduced in size. 
         FIG. 97  illustrates the size-adjusted latch assembly just prior to being coupled to the post of the pivotal lever arm of the sash lock assembly. 
         FIG. 98  illustrates initial contact of the fixed funnel member of the latch assembly, with the post of the pivotal lever arm of the sash lock assembly seen in  FIG. 97 . 
         FIG. 99  illustrates movement of the latch tongue towards the retracted position to cause lateral deflection of the beam and fixed funnel member of the latch assembly in a first lateral direction, as a result of sliding contact between the post of the pivotal lever arm of the sash lock assembly with the fixed funnel member.  FIG. 99  also illustrates lateral deflection of the flexible funnel member in a second direction, to create a temporary pathway for the post of the pivotal lever arm to be received into an opening in the latch assembly formed by the fixed and flexible funnel members. 
         FIG. 100  illustrates the post of the pivotal lever arm fully received into the opening in the latch assembly formed by the fixed and flexible funnel members, and with the tongue still in the retracted position. 
         FIG. 101  illustrates the engagement of the post of the pivotal lever arm in the opening in the latch assembly formed by the fixed and flexible funnel members, but with the tongue having been biased into the extended position, thereby biasing the pivotal lever arm toward the latch locked position. 
         FIG. 102  is a side cross-sectional view through the sliding sash window frame, with the sash lock assembly installed thereon, and with the latch assembly installed into the frame and engaged with the post of the pivotal lever arm of the sash lock. The integrated sash lock/tilt latch fastener is shown in the locked and latched position. 
         FIG. 103  is a bottom perspective view of the sash lock assembly of  FIG. 102 , showing positioning of the cam and the post of the pivotal lever arm when the integrated sash lock/tilt latch fastener is in the locked and latched position. 
         FIG. 104  is the view of  FIG. 102 , but with the sash lock handle pivoted so that the integrated sash lock/tilt latch fastener is in the unlocked and unlatched position. 
         FIG. 105  is a bottom perspective view of the sash lock assembly of  FIG. 104 , showing positioning of the cam and the post of the pivotal lever arm when the integrated sash lock/tilt latch fastener is in the unlocked and unlatched position. 
         FIG. 106  is the view of  FIG. 104  with the integrated sash lock/tilt latch fastener in the locked and latched position, but shown reduced in size. 
         FIG. 107  is an end view of the integrated sash lock/tilt latch fastener installed within the sliding sash window frame, as seen in  FIG. 106 . 
         FIG. 108  is a perspective of the integrated sash lock/tilt latch fastener installed within the sliding sash window frame, as seen in  FIG. 106 . 
         FIG. 109  is a bottom view of the sash lock assembly of  FIG. 106 , showing positioning of the cam and the post of the pivotal lever arm when the integrated sash lock/tilt latch fastener is in the locked and latched position. 
         FIG. 110  is the view of  FIG. 104 , but shown with the handle of the sash lock assembly having been rotated to place the integrated sash lock/tilt latch fastener in the unlocked and latched position. 
         FIG. 111  is an end view of the integrated sash lock/tilt latch fastener installed within the sliding sash window frame, as seen in  FIG. 110 . 
         FIG. 112  is a perspective view of the integrated sash lock/tilt latch fastener installed within the sliding sash window frame, as seen in  FIG. 110 . 
         FIG. 113  is a bottom view of the sash lock assembly of  FIG. 110 , showing positioning of the cam and the post of the pivotal lever arm when the integrated sash lock/tilt latch fastener is in the unlocked and latched position. 
         FIG. 114  is the view of  FIG. 102 , with the integrated sash lock/tilt latch fastener in the unlocked and unlatched position, but shown reduced in size. 
         FIG. 115  is an end view of the integrated sash lock/tilt latch fastener installed within the sliding sash window frame, as seen in  FIG. 114 . 
         FIG. 116  is a perspective view of the integrated sash lock/tilt latch fastener installed within the sliding sash window frame, as seen in  FIG. 114 . 
         FIG. 117  is a bottom view of the sash lock assembly of  FIG. 114 , showing positioning of the cam and the post of the pivotal lever arm when the integrated sash lock/tilt latch fastener is in the unlocked and unlatched position. 
         FIG. 118  is a reverse perspective view of the sash lock assembly releasably secured to the sliding sash window frame, as seen in  FIG. 94A , but with a slender pry tool being inserted through the opening in the sash lock housing and against the engagement spring, to effect removal of the sash lock assembly from the window frame. 
         FIG. 119  is a cross-sectional view through the arrangement of  FIG. 118 , but showing the slender pry tool deflecting the sash lock engagement spring out from the corresponding opening in the sliding sash window frame. 
         FIG. 120  is the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 119 , but showing the sash lock assembly having been slid to cause disengagement of the sash lock housing legs from the top wall of the meeting rail. 
         FIG. 121  is the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 120 , but showing the legs of the sash lock housing having been removed from the openings in the top wall of the meeting rail, and with the slender pry tool being used to subsequently pry the latch assembly out from the window frame. 
         FIG. 122  is a perspective view showing the slender pry tool being used to pry the latch assembly out from the window frame, as seen in  FIG. 121 . 
         FIG. 123  is the perspective view of the keeper assembly releasably secured to the master window frame, as seen in  FIG. 87 , but with a slender pry tool being inserted through the opening in the keeper housing and against the keeper engagement spring. 
         FIG. 124  is a cross-sectional view through the arrangement of  FIG. 123 , but showing the slender pry tool deflecting the keeper engagement spring out from the corresponding opening in the master window frame. 
         FIG. 125  is the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 124 , but showing the sash lock assembly having been slid to cause disengagement of the legs of the keeper housing from the top wall of the master frame. 
         FIG. 126  is the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 125 , but showing the sash lock assembly being pivoted to cause removal of the legs of the keeper housing from the top wall of the master frame. 
         FIG. 127A  is a side perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the latch member shown in  FIG. 56 . 
         FIG. 127B  is a top perspective view of the latch member shown in  FIG. 127A . 
         FIG. 128A  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the latch assembly of  FIG. 63 , which use the latch member shown in  FIG. 127A . 
         FIG. 128B  is a top view of the latch assembly of  FIG. 128A . 
         FIG. 129  is a perspective view showing a series of suitable openings in the meeting rail, for use in mounting the lock assembly of  FIG. 39  thereon, in cooperation with the latch assembly of  FIG. 127A . 
         FIG. 130  is a top view of the meeting rail openings shown in  FIG. 129 . 
         FIG. 131  is an end view of the meeting rail of  FIG. 130 . 
         FIG. 132  is a cross-sectional view through the meeting rail openings of  FIG. 130 . 
         FIG. 133  is a perspective view illustrating the latch assembly of  FIG. 127A  prior to being receiving through an opening in the side of the sash window frame. 
         FIG. 134  is a perspective view showing the meeting rail of  FIG. 129 , after receiving the latch assembly of  FIG. 127A  therein. 
         FIG. 135  is a top view of the meeting rail with latch assembly, as seen in  FIG. 134 . 
         FIG. 136  is an end view of the meeting rail with latch assembly, as seen in  FIG. 134 . 
         FIG. 137  is a side view of the meeting rail with latch assembly, as seen in  FIG. 134 . 
         FIG. 138  is an enlarged side view of the lock assembly of  FIG. 39 . 
         FIG. 139  is an enlarged side view of the lock assembly of  FIG. 39 . 
         FIG. 140  is the perspective view of the meeting rail of  FIG. 134 , shown with the lock assembly at an initial position being just prior to it being coupled thereto. 
         FIG. 141  shows a side view of the meeting rail and lock assembly of  FIG. 140 , after the post of the lock assembly has been inserted into the corresponding opening in the top of the meeting rail, and through the opening in the beam of the latch member. 
         FIG. 141A  is a top view of the opening in the beam of the latch member of  FIG. 141 , with the post of the lever arm received there-through. 
         FIG. 142  is the side view of  FIG. 141 , after the lock assembly has been pivoted roughly 90 degrees to orient the legs of the lock assembly housing to be aligned with, but laterally displaced from, the openings in the top of the meeting rail. 
         FIG. 142A  is a top view of the opening in the beam of the latch member of  FIG. 142 , with the post of the lever arm shown rotated roughly 90 degrees with respect to the opening. 
         FIG. 143  is the side view of  FIG. 142 , after the lock assembly has been translated for the legs of the lock assembly housing to be adjacent to the openings in the top of the meeting rail. 
         FIG. 144  is the side view of  FIG. 143 , after the legs of the lock assembly housing have been inserted through the openings in the top of the meeting rail. 
         FIG. 145  is the side view of  FIG. 144 , after the lock assembly has been slid relative to the meeting rail, for the legs of the lock assembly to engage the openings in the top of the meeting rail. 
         FIG. 146  is the perspective view of  FIG. 134  showing the meeting rail of  FIG. 129 , after receiving the latch assembly of  FIG. 127A  therein, and after the lock assembly has also been mounted thereto. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  show a first embodiment of the present invention, in the form of a left-hand and a right-hand integrated sash lock/tilt latch fastener, either of which, or both of which may be used in the construction of a sash window. To simplify the presentation herein, since the right-hand version is a mirrored version of the left-hand fastener, being made up of mirror imaged parts, all discussions throughout this disclosure will be directed only to the left-hand fastener shown in  FIG. 1A . 
     The integrated sash lock/tilt latch fastener of  FIG. 1A  may include a lock assembly  100 , and a latch assembly  200 , which may be blindly mated to the lock assembly during installation of each into the meeting rail of the sash window, an installation that may furthermore be accomplished without the use of screws or other mechanical fasteners. 
     Perspective views of the housing  10  of the sash lock assembly  100  are shown in  FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B , while corresponding orthogonal views are shown in  FIGS. 4-9 . The housing  10  is not limited to the shape illustrated within  FIGS. 4-9 , and could take on many different appropriate shapes, including a rectangular shape, an irregular shape, etc. However, the housing  10  may be desirably shaped to have a curved outer surface  13 , which may generally appear semi-circular in the top view of  FIG. 5 , spanning from a first end  21  to second end  22 , and may appear to be part elliptical in the end view of  FIG. 9 . The curvature of surface  13  may terminate at a generally flat bottom surface  11 , and may curve upwardly to reach an apex  12  in  FIG. 4 . The curvature of surface  13  may also transition, as seen in  FIG. 9 , into a generally flat surface  32 , at which a wall  33  may be formed. The housing  10  may be hollowed to form an interior surface  14 , and the wall  33  may have an opening  34  into the interior cavity of the housing. 
     Extending outwardly from the bottom of the housing  10  may be one or more legs that may be used to secure the sash lock assembly  100  to the sash window. In one embodiment of the housing, one leg constructed according to the following description may suffice for releasably securing of the sash lock assembly  100  to the sash window. In the embodiment shown within  FIGS. 4-9 , three such legs may provide for more stable and secure mating of the sash lock housing  10  to the meeting rail. As seen in  FIGS. 4 and 7 , first, second, and third legs,  15 ,  16 , and  17 , respectively, may each protrude down from the cavity of the housing to extend beyond the extent of flat bottom surface  11 . The first and second legs,  15  and  16 , may be disposed in closer proximity to wall  33 , while the third leg  17  may be disposed to be closer to the center of the semicircular housing base  31 . The first leg  15  may be a hook-shaped leg, in that, as seen in  FIG. 4 , it may not only have a “vertical” portion  15 V extending away from the interior surface  14 , and a “horizontal” portion  1511  that extends laterally from the end of the vertical portion  15 V, but it may also has a return flange  15 R that extends from the end of the “horizontal” portion  1511  back towards the interior surface  14 . The use of hooked leg  15  and legs  16  and  17  is discussed hereinafter with respect to installation of the sash lock assembly  100 . 
     The housing  10  may have a cylindrical boss  18  extending upwardly from the outer surface  13 , and may have a cylindrical boss  19  extending downwardly from the interior surface  14 , into the housing cavity. Cylindrical boss  18  and cylindrical boss  19  may be generally coaxial, and may have a through hole  20  positioned therein. The hole  20  may be used for pivotal mounting of a shaft extending from the locking cam, or alternatively, the hole  20  may be used for pivotal mounting of a separate shaft/handle member, to which the locking cam may instead be fixedly secured. 
     In the embodiment illustrated herein, as seen in  FIGS. 10-16 , a shaft member  46  may have a cylindrical shaft  43 , one end of which may have a keyed protrusion  44  extending therefrom, with an orifice therein. The other end of the shaft  43  may have a graspable handle portion that extends generally orthogonally with respect to the axis of shaft  43 . The shaft  43  may be received through the hole  20  in the bosses  18  and  19  of the housing  10 . The keyed protrusion  44  may be any suitable cross-sectional shape, and in this example, the keyed protrusion is formed using a rectangular cross-section. 
     The locking cam  50  illustrated in  FIGS. 17-24  may have a cylindrical hub  53 , with a keyed opening  54  that is shaped to match the keyed protrusion  44  of the shaft member  46 . Extending laterally away from the hub  53  may be a wall  55 , and extending away from both the hub  53  and the flat wall  55  may be a curved cam wall  56 , that may be used to engage the key of the corresponding keeper, and to draw the sliding sash window in closer proximity to the master window frame (or other sash window for a double-hung arrangement). The curved cam wall  56  may have a curved protrusion  56 P protruding laterally therefrom, which may be a semi-cylindrically shaped protrusion. The axis of the radial surface  56 P R  of the semi-cylindrical protrusion  56 P may be substantially parallel to the axis of the keyed protrusion  44  of the shaft member  46 . 
     Protruding away from the hub  53  may be a cylindrical member  57 , which may be generally concentric with the hub. The cylindrical member  57  may have a first flat SA formed thereon, and a second flat  58 B formed thereon to be clocked 180 degrees away from the first flat  58 A. The flats  58 A and  58 B may operate as a detent to releasably secure the cam  50 , at a sash locked position and at a sash unlocked position, with respect to the leaf spring  90  shown in  FIG. 38 , discussed hereinafter. A third flat  59 A may also be formed in the cylindrical member  57 , as sea in  FIG. 19 , at a position that is clocked roughly 135 degrees from the first flat  58 A. The flat  59 A may also operate as a detent to releasably secure the cam  50  with respect to the leaf spring  90 , at another sash unlocked position, which will be termed herein, with respect to the operation of the sash lock discussed hereinafter, as a first sash unlocked position. The sash unlocked position arising from the flat  58 B will be referred to herein as the second sash unlocked position. For symmetry and greater stability of the cam being releasably retained at the first sash unlocked position, a fourth flat  59 B may be positioned on the cylindrical member  57  at a position that is docked roughly 180 degrees from the third flat  59 A, and may releasably engage a second leaf spring. Note that the flats could be formed on the cylindrical hub  53 , instead of on the protruding cylindrical member  57 . 
     Assembly of the locking cam  50  and the shaft/handle member  46  into housing  10  may be seen in  FIGS. 39-41 . Prior to such assembly, the leaf spring  90 , shown in  FIG. 38 , which may be a generally flat elongated flexible member, may be installed into the housing interior. The ends of leaf spring  90  may be fixedly received within a pair of corresponding recesses in the housing, using a friction fit, or adhesive, or mechanical fasteners, etc. As mentioned above, a second leaf spring  90 ′ may be used, and may similarly be secured within the housing cavity, to be at a distance away from the first leaf spring that is roughly the same as the distance between the pair of flats  58 A and  58 B, which may be roughly the same as the distance between the pair of flats  59 A and  59 B. The cylindrical shaft  43  of the shaft/handle member  46  may then be pivotally received in hole  20  of housing  10 , and the keyed protrusion  44  of the shaft member  46  may be received upon the keyed opening  54  of locking cam  50 , and may be secured thereat using a friction fit, adhesive, mechanical fasteners, or by being welded thereto, of by using any combination of such suitable means of securing two parts together. 
     To accommodate screwless installation of the sash lock assembly  100  upon the meeting rail of the sliding sash window, an engagement spring  94  may be utilized in addition to the use of the first, second, and third legs ( 15 ,  16 , and  17 ) of the sash lock housing. Engagement spring  94 , as seen detailed in  FIGS. 34-37 , may have a first flange  95  and a second flange  96  that are flexibly connected with a bend  96 B therebetween. The first flexible flange  95  may have a mounting flange  97  extending therefrom. The second flexible flange  96  may have a double-legged bend formed thereon to be distal from bend  96 B, and may be formed by leg  98  being at an angle with respect to flange  96 , and by a second leg  99  being at an angle with respect to the first leg  98 . The legs  98  and  99  may create a V-shaped notch that may be used for installation of the sash lock assembly  100  upon the meeting rail of the sliding sash window, as discussed hereinafter. The engagement spring  94  may be installed into the housing  10 , as seen in  FIGS. 40-41 , with the mounting flange  97  of the spring being fixedly received within a recess in a protrusion  23  ( FIG. 7 ) that protrudes out from the interior surface  14  of housing. The end of flange  95  of the engagement spring  94  that is proximate to bend  96 B may be supported by another protrusion  24  that protrudes out from the interior surface  14  of housing. 
     Interaction between the sash lock assembly  100 , once installed upon the meeting rail of the sliding sash window, with the latch assembly  200 , may be through the use of a lever arm  70  that may be pivotally mounted to the housing  10 . The lever arm  70  is seen detailed within  FIGS. 25-32 . Lever arm  70  may include a hub  73 , with a generally concentric mourning hole  74  therein. Extending laterally away from the axis of the hub  73  may be an arm  75 , which may have a curved surface  75 C that is selectively shaped to be driven by the semi-cylindrical protrusion  56 P of the locking can  50 , as discussed hereinafter. The arm  75  may transition into a post  76  that may be generally orthogonal to the arm  75  and may be generally parallel to the axis of the hub  73 . A stop  77  may protrude from e pot  76 . The housing  10 , as seen in  FIG. 7 , may have a shaft  25  that protrudes out from the interior surface  14  of the housing. The mounting hole  74  of the hub  73  of the lever arm  70  may be pivotally received upon the shaft  25  of the housing. To pivotally secure the lever arm  70  thereto, the end of the shaft  25  may be bucked like a rivet, to form a manufactured head to prevent the lever arm from slipping off of the post. Alternatively, a screw or other mechanical fastener may be used for pivotally securing the hub  73  of the lever arm  70  to the housing  10 . 
     The positions that the component parts of the sash lock assembly are capable of occupying is seen in  FIGS. 42-45 . In  FIG. 42 , the sash lock is shown in the locked position, with the locking cam being in the extended position where it would engage the key of a keeper to secure the sliding sash window from sliding within the track of the master window frame. Although it may not be seen therein, but may nonetheless be understood from viewing  FIGS. 19 and 40 , the flat  58 A and flat  58 B of the cylindrical member  57  on the hub  53  of locking cam  50  may respectively contact and be flush with the leaf springs  90  and  90 ′. This contact may serve to releasably restrain the locking cam  50  from rotating out of the locked position, without being deliberately moved therefrom. 
     When the user wishes to unlock the sliding sash window to permit it to slide in the master window frame, the shaft/handle  40  may be rotated, to correspondingly rotate the locking cam, as shown by the arrow in  FIG. 42 , until reaching the first sash unlocked position ( FIG. 43 ). The locking cam no longer protrudes out from the housing  10  to engage the keeper. Although it may not be seen therein, but may nonetheless be understood from viewing  FIGS. 19 and 40 , the flat  59 A and flat  59 B of the cylindrical member  57  on the hub  53  of locking cam  50  may now respectively contact and be flush with the flexible leaf springs  90  and  90 ′ at this first unlocked position of the locking cam  50 . (Note, to increase flexibility of the leaf springs  90  and  90 ′, only one end of each spring may be fixedly mounted in the housing, or alternatively, both ends may be slidably mounted therein, to easily permit lateral deflection of the leaf springs, but without permitting them to become loosened or disconnected from proper positioning within the housing adjacent to the locking cam). 
     This contact may serve to releasably restrain the locking cam  50  from rotating out of the first unlocked position, without being deliberately moved therefrom. Note that since the angle at which the flats  58 A/ 58 B were clocked from the flats  59 A/ 59 B was approximately 135 degrees, the shaft/handle  40  will need to rotate approximately 135 degrees to actuate the sash lock assembly  100  from the locked position in  FIG. 41  to the first unlocked position in  FIG. 43 . This is shown by the movement of the handle portion  46  of the shaft/handle  40  in both figures. It should also be noted that angular displacements other than 135 degrees are also possible, as long as the rotational movement is sufficient to move the locking cam far enough away from the keeper to permit sliding movement of the sash window, and although it may be desirable, the cam need not even be fully retracted within the housing  10 . 
     When the user wishes to unlatch the sliding sash window to permit one end of it to pivot out from the master window frame and into the room for cleaning of the glazing, the she/handle  40  may be rotated to correspondingly rotate the locking cam, as shown by the arrow in  FIG. 43 , until reaching the second sash unlocked position ( FIG. 44 ), which is also the unlatched position. At the second unlatched position, the locking cam is even further retracted into the housing  10 . Although it may not be seen therein, but may nonetheless be understood from viewing  FIGS. 19 and 40 , the flat  58 A and flat  58 B of the cylindrical member  57  on the hub  53  of locking cam  50  may again contact and be flush with the leaf springs, but having now been rotated roughly 180 degrees, they may now respectively contact leaf springs  90 ′ and  90  at this second unlocked position of the locking cam  50 . 
     This contact may serve to releasably restrain the locking cam  50  from rotating out of the second unlocked position, without being deliberately moved therefrom. During this rotation of the locking cam  50  from the first unlocked position to the second unlocked position, being roughly 55 degrees, the semi-cylindrical protrusion  56 P of the locking cam  50  contacts the arm  75  of locking the cam, and the continued contact of the protrusion along the curved surface  75 C of the arm  75  during the 55 degrees of rotation drives the lever arm  70  to pivot, and to cause unlatching of the latch assembly, as discussed hereinafter. 
     When the user has pivoted the sash window back into the master window frame, and seeks to latch the window therein, the shaft/handle  40  may be counter-rotated roughly 55 degrees to correspondingly counter-rotate the locking cam, as shown by the arrow in  FIG. 44 , until reaching the first sash unlocked position ( FIG. 45 ). Thereafter, when the user has slid the window closed, and seeks to lock the lock assembly  100 , he/she may further counter-rotate the shaft/handle  40  another 135 degrees to correspondingly counter-rotate the locking cam  50 , as shown by the arrow in  FIG. 45 , until reaching the sash locked position ( FIG. 42 ). 
     The latch assembly may include a latch member  250  and a biasing means (e.g., spring  291 ). Perspective views of the latch member  250  are shown in  FIGS. 56-59 , while corresponding orthogonal views are shown in  FIGS. 60A-60F . The latch member  250  may extend from first end  251  to second end  252 , and may include a tongue  253  that begins at the first end of the latch member and extends only part way to its second end. The tongue  253  may have a generally flat engagement surface  254 E that may engage the track of the master window frame to prevent outward tilting of the sliding sash window, and it may also have an angled surface  254 A that tapes toward the engagement surface  254 E to create an apex. The angled surface  254 A may be used, upon contact with the master window frame, to oppose the biasing of the latch member and temporarily drive it into a retracted position, until the tongue enters the track of the master window frame, and is biased into its extended position to have the engagement surface  254 E re-engage the track. The tongue  253  may also have one stop  266 A protruding therefrom ( FIG. 63 ) or a pair of stops ( 266 A and  266 B). 
     Extending away from the tongue  253  may be an elongated beam  255  that is flexible, and which may terminate in a fixed funnel member  256  and a flexible funnel member  257 . The periphery of the fixed funnel member  256  that is distal to its connection with the beam  255  may be shaped to form an angled funnel surface  256 F, which may thereafter transition to form a curved recess  256 R. The flexible funnel member may be formed with a periphery that, while the flexible funnel member is undeflected, will be generally disposed across the curved recess  256 R of the fixed funnel member  256 . The periphery of the flexible funnel member  257  that is distal to its connection with the beam  255  may also be shaped to form an angled funnel extension  257 F, whereby the angled funnel surface  256 F of the fixed funnel member  256 , and the angled funnel surface  257 F of the flexible funnel member form a V-shaped funnel arrangement, as seen in  FIG. 60A . Although this formation of the latch member (see, e.g.,  FIG. 61 ) would be sufficient to enable its installation into the sliding sash window, and its co-action therein with the appropriately installed sash lock assembly  100 , the latch member  250  shown in  FIG. 60A  may additionally include a secondary beam  255 ′ that extends from the fixed funnel member  256  to be substantially in-line with the primary beam  255 , and which also correspondingly has thereon a secondary fixed funnel member  256 ′ and a secondary flexible funnel member  257 ′. This arrangement for latch member  250  may permit its use on two different window sizes. 
     For example, where the sash lock assembly  100  may desirably be located a greater distance away from the master window frame, in a somewhat larger sized window, the secondary fixed/flexible funnel members  256 ′ and  257 ′ may be utilized. However, the same latch member  250  may also be utilized where the sash lock assembly  100  may desirably be located at a position closer to the master window frame, in a somewhat smaller sized window, because the secondary beam  255 ′ with its corresponding secondary fixed/flexible funnel member ( 256 ′ and  257 ′) may be severed from the primary fixed funnel member  256 . Its ease of removal and severing therefrom may be accommodated by a notch  255 N in the secondary beam  255 ′ proximate to the first fixed funnel member, to permit a length modification. The notch may be recessed below the angled funnel surface  256 F of the fixed funnel member  256  so that its removal would not affect proper operation of the funnel surface, which is discussed further hereinafter.  FIGS. 61A and 61B  shows the single latch member  250 A with only its primary beam/funnel members, which may be originally formed as such, or may alternatively be formed by altering the dual beam/funnel members of latch member  250  through removal of the secondary members ( 255 ′,  256 ′, and  257 ′). 
     The dual latch member  250  or the single latch member  250 A may be installed through a suitable opening in the side of the meeting rail of the sliding sash window, and may be properly biased using a spring or other biasing means that may be installed therein as well. However, because of the increased complexity of the manufacturing operations necessary to produce the suitable opening in the meeting rail of the sliding sash window, it may be preferable to instead utilize a separate housing with the latch member. The latch housing member  210  may have a simple exterior surface, the complement of which can be easily formed (e.g., bored) into the rail of the sliding sash window, and permit ease of its installation therein. 
     Perspective views of the housing  210  of the latch assembly  200  are shown in  FIGS. 46-49 , while corresponding orthogonal views are shown in  FIGS. 50-55 . The housing  210  is not limited to the shape illustrated within  FIGS. 50-55 , and could take on many different appropriate shapes, including an elongated rectangular shape. However, the housing  210  may be desirably shaped to have a cylindrical outer surface  213 , which may span from a first end  211  to second end  212 . At the first end  211  of the housing  210 , the cylindrical outer surface  213  may be formed into a protruding lip  213 L. A portion of the cylindrical outer surface  213  may also have a series of successive teeth ( 214 A,  214 B,  214 C,  214 D) be formed thereon, for releasable securing of the housing within the hole that is bored/formed in the window rail. The housing  210  may be hollowed out to form an interior surface  215 . Protruding upward from the interior surface  215  may be one stop  216 A or a pair of stops ( 216 A and  216 B). A shaped wall  218  may protrude down to obstruct a portion of the hollowed out interior between the first end  211  and the second end  212 . 
     The biasing of the latch member  250  relative to the housing  210  may be through the use of a suitably arranged tension spring, or by using a compression spring. For the sake of brevity, the figures herein only depict the embodiment where a compression spring is utilized. 
     The interior surface  215  of housing  210  may be contoured to receive the latch member  250  therein, in a slidable relation. Assembly of the helical compression spring  291  and the latch member  250  into the housing  210  is illustrated in  FIG. 62 . The helical spring  291  may be nested in a recess  253 R of the tongue  253 . One end of the spring may act upon the wall  253 W of the tongue  253  ( FIG. 62 ), while the other end of the compression spring may act upon the wall  218  of the housing  210  ( FIG. 48 ), to bias a portion of the tongue, including its apex, to protrude out from the latch housing, as seen in  FIG. 63 . The extent that biasing by spring  291  may cause the tongue  253  to protrude out from the housing  210  may be limited by the stops  266 A and  266 B on the tongue contacting the stops  216 A and  216 B on the housing ( FIG. 63 ). Actuation of the latch member  250  relative to the housing  210  may cause the apex of the tongue to retract within the hollow of the housing, as seen in  FIG. 65 . 
     Installation of the sash lock assembly  100  upon the sliding sash window  300  is illustrated within  FIGS. 88-94 . Sliding sash window  300  may have a horizontal meeting rail  301 , a first vertical stile  302 , a second stile (not shown) and a bottom rail (not shown), which may form a frame to support the glazing  305  therein. The meeting rail  301  and the stile  302  may each be generally hollow members. For the particular window shown in  FIG. 89 , the meeting rail  301  is shown to have a transition  301 X at a 45 degree angle with the stile  302 . Therefore, for the sash window illustrated in  FIGS. 88-90 , it may be accurate to state that the opening  310  may be formed in the vertical stile  302 , rather than in the horizontal rail  301 . However, it should be understood that the horizontal meeting rail could instead be configured to extent to the extreme side of the sash window, and that the vertical stile could abut the bottom of the meeting rail, in which case the opening  310  may be described as being in the meeting rail. Throughout this disclosure, the latch assembly is described as being installed in the stile, but that should be understood to mean that it could be either through an opening in the side of the vertical stile or through an opening in the end of the horizontal rail, depending upon how that joint is constructed. 
     As seen in  FIG. 89 , a first opening  315 , a second opening  316 , a third opening  317 , and a fourth opening  370  may be formed in the top wall of the meeting rail  301 . Openings  315 ,  316 , and  317  may be shaped and positioned to suitably correspond to the footprint of legs  15 ,  16 , and  17  of the housing  10  ( FIG. 7 ). In  FIGS. 92 and 93 , it may be seen that the hooked leg  15  of housing  10  of the sash assembly  100  may be inserted at an angle, so that the hook of the leg enters the opening and may be inserted beyond the extent of the periphery of the opening  315  in the rail, after which the sash lock assembly may be pivoted about the hook of leg  315 , so that legs  16  and  17  are each also respectively inserted through the rail openings  316  and  317 . As seen in  FIG. 93 , the opening  315  may be slightly smaller in the length direction than the footprint of housing leg  15 , while the length of the openings  316  and  317  may be slightly larger than corresponding footprints of legs  16  and  17 . The width for each of the openings  315 ,  316 , and  317  in the rail may all be slightly larger to afford a clearance fit with the width of legs  15 ,  16 , and  17 . 
     During pivoting of the sash lock assembly  100  for insertion of the legs  16  and  17  into rail openings  316  and  317 , the post  77  of the lever arm  70  may also be inserted into rail opening  370 , which may be arcuate in shape to accommodate the pivotal motion of the lever arm upon the post  25  of the sash lock housing  10 . 
     Also, during pivoting of the sash lock assembly  100  for insertion of the legs  16  and  17  into openings  316  and  317 , the engagement spring  94  may become deflected from its static position with respect to the sash lock housing  10 , as seen in  FIG. 92 , as its flange  96  may now be in contact with the top wall of the stile  301  ( FIG. 93 ). 
     The final step in installing the sash lock assembly  100  upon the rail of the sliding sash window  300  is to slide the lock assembly laterally, so that the engagement spring  94  may begin to move into the rail opening  315 , back towards its undeflected position, until the legs  98  and  99  of the engagement spring  94  may engage the edge of the rail opening  315  that is distal from the stile  302 , as seen in  FIG. 94 . 
     Uninstalling of the lock assembly  100  is shown in  FIGS. 118-122 , and may be effectuated using a slender and/or a pointed object, such as a thin screw-driver blade, or a knife blade, or a simple pry tool, such as tool  399 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 118 and 119 , the pry tool  399  may be used to remove the sash lock assembly  100  by deflecting the engagement spring  94  back towards the interior of the housing  10  to disengage its legs  98  and  99  from the rail opening  315 . Thereafter, removal may be effectuated by sliding the housing away from stile  302 , and by pivoting the lock assembly to remove the legs  15 ,  16 , and  17 , as well as the post  77  of lever arm  70 , from the corresponding openings in the meeting rail  301 . 
     A keeper assembly  400  may be constructed similar to the lock assembly  100 , using a housing  410  and an engagement spring  494 , as seen in  FIGS. 74-77 . Keeper assembly  400  may be installed upon the master window frame (or upon the meeting rail of an upper sliding sash window for a double hung window), similar to the installation of the sash lock assembly  100 , and is shown in  FIGS. 80-87 . The keeper assembly  400  may also be uninstalled from the master window frame in a similar process as for the uninstalling of the sash lock assembly  100 , and is shown in  FIGS. 123-126 . 
     Installation of the latch assembly  200  is shown initially in  FIG. 95 , where the latch member  250  may be size adjusted, by removal of the secondary beam  255 ′ and corresponding secondary fixed/flexible funnel member ( 256 ′ and  257 ′), to form latch assembly  200 A. The latch assembly  200 A may be inserted through the opening  310  of the frame of sliding sash window  300 . As seen in  FIG. 97 , the insertion of the latch assembly  200 A through the selectively positioned opening  310  in the rail of the sliding sash window will accomplish mating of the beam  255  of the latch assembly with the post  76  of lever arm  70  of the lock assembly  100 , using the fixed funnel member  256  and the flexible funnel member  257  of the latch assembly. 
     As the latch assembly  250 A is advanced through the opening  310  in the rail, as seen in  FIG. 98 , the fixed funnel member will be positioned so that its angled funnel surface  256 F will contact the post  76  of lever arm  70 . Continued advancement of the latch assembly  250 A through the opening  310  in the rail (note the apex of the tongue  255  withdrawing into the latch housing  210 ), will result in the beam  255  deflecting in a first direction, as shown by the arrow in  FIG. 99 , as the post  76  moves farther down the angled funnel surface  256 F of the fixed funnel member  256 . When the post  76  reaches the angled funnel surface  257 F of the flexible funnel member  257 , it will cause the flexible funnel member to deform in a second direction being generally opposite to which the beam  255  had been deflected, and will therefore cause separation between the fixed funnel member  256  and the flexible funnel member  257 . When the separation is sufficient, the post  76  will pass therebetween, and will enter the curved recess  256 R of the fixed flexible member, after which the flexible funnel member will return to its undeflected position in proximity to the fixed flexible member  256 , as seen in  FIG. 100 . Upon removal of the force that had been applied to the tongue  255  to cause capture of the post  76  within the recess curved recess  256 R of the fixed funnel member  256 , the tongue will be biased outward once again by spring  291 , as seen in  FIG. 101 . 
     The integrated sash lock/tilt latch fastener, which includes sash lock assembly  100  and latch assembly  200  ( FIG. 1A ), is shown installed in the sliding sash window  300 , and in the locked and latched position within  FIG. 102 , and in the unlocked and unlatched position within  FIG. 104 . A series of additional views showing the integrated sash lock/tilt latch fastener installed upon the sliding sash window  300 , and in the locked and latched position, are shown within  FIGS. 106-108 . A series of views showing the integrated sash lock/tilt latch fastener installed upon the sliding sash window  300 , and in the unlocked and latched position, are shown within  FIGS. 110-112 . A series of views showing the integrated sash lock/tilt latch fastener installed upon the sliding sash window  300 , and in the unlocked and unlatched position, are shown within  FIGS. 114-116 . 
     Improvements to the interconnection between the sash lock assembly  100  and latch assembly  200  for the integrated sash lock/tilt latch fastener shown installed in the sliding sash window  300  of  FIG. 110 , may be obtained through the replacement of latch assembly  200  with latch assembly  201 . Latch assembly  201  is shown in  FIGS. 128A and 128B , and may similarly include the use of the housing  210  and a biasing member, which may be helical compression spring  291 . However, latch assembly  201  may include a latch member  250 A instead of latch member  250 . 
     Latch member  250 A may be formed as seen in the perspective view of  FIG. 128A  and the top view of  FIG. 128B . The latch member  250 A may be formed to have a tongue similar to latch member  250 , however, it may have a beam  255 A that is formed differently than beam  255  of latch member  250 . The beam  255 A may, as seen in  FIG. 128B , have one or more openings  275  formed to pass through the beam from the top surface of the beam through the bottom surface, such that when the latch assembly is installed through the side of the sash window frame and the beam  255 A is within the hollow meeting rail, the through-opening  275  may be vertically oriented. (It should be noted that the use within this disclosure of the terms “vertical” and “horizontal” are not intended to limit other possible configurations/uses of the combination sash lock/tilt latch embodiments taught herein, particularly because certain modern architectural designs utilize windows that are not oriented with respect to that reference frame, and may instead, for example, be at an angle with respect to a vertical plane. However, those terms are useful in describing the standard sliding/tilting sash window illustrated throughout the exemplary Figures provided herein). 
     Each of the one or more openings  275  may be particularly shaped and oriented to provide for selective engagement of the post  76  of lever arm  70  of the lock assembly  100  therein. As seen in  FIG. 128B , the opening  275  may be an elongated shape, which may, for example, be generally rectangular-shaped, or diamond-shaped, etc., and may correspond to the cross-sectional shape used for the post  76  of lever arm  70 . 
     To be illustrative, the opening  275  in beam  255 A in  FIG. 128A  is shown with a rectangular shape. The elongated opening may be oriented so that the longer direction of the opening is substantially perpendicular to the axis  255 X of the beam  255 . The rectangular opening  275  may therefore have a length  275 L extending substantially normal to the axial direction  255 X of the beam, and a width  275 W extending substantially parallel to the axial direction of the beam. The internal corners of the rectangular opening  275  may be filleted (i.e., formed with a concave junction). The generally slender beam  255 A may thus transition to widen in proximity to the opening(s)  275 , and may form peripheral walls to provide sufficient structural integrity for the latch member, as the size of the opening is largely driven by the shape and the required size of the post  76  of lever arm  70  of the lock assembly  100 . 
     The post  76  of lever arm  70  is shown in detail in  FIGS. 25-32 . The elongated cross-sectional shape used for the post  76  may be a somewhat irregular shape, or it may be a diamond shape or a substantially rectangular shape that may have rounded exterior corners. Other cross-sectional shapes may also be suitably utilized to form the post, such a racetrack shape, a clothoid shape, and an elliptical shape, each of which may be suitable, as they would not tend to adversely affect the beam  255 A when received within the opening  275 , as discussed hereinafter. A principle feature of the cross-sectional shape to be used for the post  76  may be, as seen in  FIGS. 138 and 139 , that it be an elongated shape having a long-transverse direction (i.e., L 1 ) and a short-transverse direction (i.e., S 1 ). 
     This elongated cross-sectional shape of the post  76  may work in concert with the rectangular shaped opening  275 , with respect to initial insertion of the post therein, and its subsequent operation relative to the walls of the opening. The post  76  may be received within the opening  275  when the lock assembly  100  is mounted to the top of the meeting rail of the sash window. A suitable series of openings formed in the top of the meeting rail for mounting of the sash lock thereto is shown within  FIGS. 129-131 , and may similarly include a first opening  315 A, a second opening  316 A, a third opening  317 A, and a fourth opening  370 A. The fourth opening  370 A may generally be elongated along the axial direction  301 AX of the meeting rail  301 A ( FIG. 132 ), to accommodate pivotal movement of the lever arm  70  therein, as discussed hereinabove with respect to the lock assembly  100  and meeting rail  301 . In addition, the fourth opening  370 A may be formed of an elongated axial opening  370 AX, and shorter elongated portion  370 AT being elongated in a direction that is transverse to the axial direction  301 AX of the meeting rail  301 A. 
     While the latch member  201  may be received within the opening  310 A of the sliding sash window  300 A ( FIG. 133 ) the same as with latch member  200  and window  300 , the latch member  201  may operate somewhat differently therein (see e.g.,  FIGS. 134-137 ), and the securing of the lock assembly  100  to the meeting rail  301 A may also be somewhat different. 
     Initial positioning of the lock assembly  100  for its mounting to the sash window  300 A is seen in  FIG. 140 , in which the housing of the lock assembly is positioned substantially transverse to the axial direction  301 AX of the meeting rail  301 A. Such initial positioning may also serve to orient the long transverse direction of the post  76  of lever arm  70  to similarly be perpendicular to the axial direction  301 AX of the meeting rail  301 A, where it may be generally in-line with the shorter elongated portion  370 AT of the elongated fourth opening  370 A in the top of the meeting rail  301 A. 
     With the long transverse direction of the post  76  of lever arm  70  being oriented to be in-line with the shorter elongated portion  370 AT of the elongated fourth opening  370 A, the lock assembly  100  may be dropped “vertically,” as seen in  FIG. 141 , so that the post  76  is first received through the opening elongated portion  370 AT of opening  370 A, and then through the opening  275  in the beam  255 A of the latch member  250 A. This may result by the length of the beam  255 A and the location of the opening  275  therein being coordinated with the positioning of the openings  315 A,  316 A,  317 A, and  370 A in top of the meeting rail  301 A, so that the elongated portion  370 AT of opening  370 A in the meeting rail  301 A is directly above the corresponding elongated opening  275  in the beam  255 A of the latch member  201 . 
     With the post  76  of lever arm  70  received through the opening  275  in the beam  255 A of the latch member  250 A, as seen in  FIG. 141 , the latch assembly may be rotated roughly 90 degrees, as seen in  FIG. 142 . The joining of the transverse elongated portion  370 AT of the opening  370 A in the meeting rail with the axial portion  370 AX may be sufficient to permit rotation of the elongated cross-section of the post  76  of lever arm  70  therein. In addition, the length  275 L of the rectangular opening  275  in the beam  255  may be slightly oversized in comparison to the combination of the elongated cross-sectional shape of the post  76  and the protrusion  77  protruding therefrom, as seen in  FIG. 141A . The rounded corners of the rectangular cross-section for the post  76  (or the alternative use of the racetrack shape, the clothoid shape, or the elliptical shape) may each be advantageous, as they would not tend to gouge or scrape the beam when initially rotated within the opening  275 , or thereafter when the lock assembly is actuated and the post is driven by the cam to actuate the beam and tongue of the latch member  250 A. 
     After the lock assembly  100  has been rotated relative to the meeting rail, as seen in  FIG. 142 , the extent of the elongated cross-sectional shape of the post  76  may tend to occupy substantially the entire width  275 W of the opening  275  in the beam  255 , as seen in  FIG. 142A . In addition, the protrusion  77  protruding from one side of the post  76  is now disposed beneath the bottom surface  255 B of the beam  255 , and the post of lock assembly  100  may now be captive with respect to the latch member  201 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 142 , the first, second, and third legs,  15 ,  16 , and  17 , of the housing of the lock assembly  100  are aligned with the first, second, and third openings ( 315 A,  316 A, and  317 A) in the top of the meeting rail  301 A (i.e., the axial direction of the legs is aligned with the axial direction of the openings), but are laterally displaced therefrom. Therefore, the lock assembly  100  may be translated away from the stile of the window frame, as indicated by the arrow in  FIG. 142 , so that the legs ( 15 ,  16 , and  17 ) of the housing are moved to become adjacent to the openings ( 315 A,  316 A, and  317 A), as seen in  FIG. 143 . Note that in translating the lock assembly  100 , the post  76  that is captive within the opening  245  of the beam  255  of the latch assembly  250 A causes the latch member  250 A to also translate, and the tongue to be retracted. 
     The lock assembly  100  may then be advanced toward the meeting rail, so that the legs ( 15 ,  16 , and  17 ) are received through the openings ( 315 A,  316 A, and  317 A), as seen in  FIG. 144 . The lock assembly  100  may then be reverse-translated, as indicated by the arrow in  FIG. 144 , so that the legs ( 15 ,  16 , and  17 ) of the housing are moved within the openings ( 315 A,  316 A, and  317 A) to become engaged with the top wall of the meeting rail, as seen in  FIG. 143 . The engagement spring  94 , as discussed hereinabove, may move into the rail opening  315 A, back towards its undeflected position, until the legs  98  and  99  of the engagement spring  94  may engage the edge of the rail opening to secure the lock assembly to the sash window frame, as seen in  FIGS. 145 and 146 . 
     Other features of the latch member  250 A may enable improved operation of the integrated sash lock and tilt latch, and coupling of the lock assembly to the latch member. The length of the post  76  may be, selected so that the end of the post of the lever arm  70  is then in very close proximity to, or contacting, the bottom wall  301 AB of the meeting rail  301 A ( FIG. 144 ), which may thriller preclude the separation of the beam from the post, even in the absence of the use of the protrusion  67  on the post  66  of the lever arm  70  of the lock assembly  100 . As seen at least in  FIG. 144 , the end of the post  66  of the lever arm  70  may be in such close proximity to the bottom wall  301 AB of the meeting rail  301 A that it may be separated therefrom by a distance that may be significantly less that the thickness of the adjacent meeting rail bottom wall. Moreover, the beam  255  of the latch member  250 A may be formed to include at least one vertical post  255 P that, may protrude down from the bottom surface of the beam. The post  255 P, which may be cylindrical, may be formed of a selective length so as to contact the bottom wall  301 AB of the meeting rail  301 A to provide support for the beam  255  to be at a substantially horizontal position, which may be a substantially central position within the hollow meeting rail of the sash window. This may further serve to prevent disengagement of the post  76  of the lever arm  70  from the opening  275 , in addition to locating the end of the post  76  in proximity to the bottom of the meeting rail, and it may also serve to provide support to the beam  255  to facilitate the initial insertion of the post  76  though the opening  275  in the beam. 
     The latch member  250 A, as seen in  FIG. 128B , may also be formed to have multiple openings  275  along the length of the beam  255 , which may permit the same latch assembly to be universally suited for use on windows of various different sizes, where the openings  315 A,  316 A,  317 A, and  370 A in top of the meeting rail  301 A may be positioned at a different distance from the stile for each different window size. The cross-section of the beam  255  between the openings  275  may be reduced in thickness to preclude excessive use of plastic or other material needed to form the part, while multiple posts  255 P may be used to provide support for the beam. As seen in  FIG. 137 , two posts  255 P may be used to support the length of beam where three openings  275  are utilized. 
     The examples and descriptions provided merely illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Those skilled in the art and having the benefit of the present disclosure will appreciate that further embodiments may be implemented with various changes within the scope of the present invention. Other modifications, substitutions, omissions and changes may be made in the design, size, materials used or proportions, operating conditions, assembly sequence, or arrangement or positioning of elements and members of the preferred embodiment without departing from the spirit of this invention.