Patent Publication Number: US-2007107310-A1

Title: Stile latch and window assembly incorporating the same

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention pertains to a latch mechanism adapted for use in a sash window assembly. More specifically, the invention pertains to a stile latch, which selectively engages an opening for supporting a sash within a window frame, when the sash is in a predefined non-tilted position within the window frame, wherein the stile latch and the opening are each associated with a respective one of the window frame and a stile of the sash.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Tiltable window assemblies by their very nature are intended to allow a sash to transverse laterally within the plane of the window frame, wherein the existence and the corresponding size of an opening is effected as the sash moves within the frame. In this way a window can move between an open and a closed position. The sash is also generally designed to be able to tilt, such that one end of the sash will tilt out of the frame, and in a direction which is generally inward, relative to a structure like a house.  
      In many instances, the bottom corners of the sash, when the sash is in either a tilted out of plane position or a non-tilted in-plane position, are maintained substantially in-plane, relative to the frame, by a pair of tilt bars, which are generally received by a corresponding pair of window sash balance shoes, which will generally vertically lock, when the sash is tilted. The window sash balance shoes often reside within partially exposed corresponding tracks in respective ones of the opposite facing side jambs of a window frame, commonly referred to as jamb pockets. The jamb pockets can be formed as part of a jamb liner, which in some instances are formed from an extruded vinyl or plastic. The partial exposure is the result of one or more openings that run at least partially along the length of the frame into which the tilt bar extends, thereby providing access to the jamb pockets, and any properly positioned elements located within the jamb pocket.  
      The upper corners of the sash are commonly allowed to release from the frame and tilt inward. The upper corners of the sash, in at least some instances, each include a tilt latch, which can be used to generally maintain the sash in a non-tilted position until the tilt latches are selectively released. The tilt latch will commonly include a bolt, which is biased toward an engaged position, that needs to be pulled back from an engaged position to enable the upper portion of the sash to be released and tilt out of the plane of the frame. The end of the bolt in an engaged position will generally extend into a respective one of the same partially exposed jamb pockets into which the tilt bars extend, and more specifically into one of the same one or more openings that run, at least partially, along the length of the frame.  
      While a window sash generally includes hardware, such as tilt bars and tilt latches, which precludes unintended movement of the sash relative to the window frame, a window can be subjected to extreme conditions, which can exert greater than normal forces, such as high wind forces commonly associated with some storm conditions, for example storms including tornado and hurricane conditions. Window assemblies have increasingly incorporated plastic extruded parts, such as jamb liners, which under most normal conditions provide sufficient structural support, but which can twist and/or flex under more extreme conditions. For example, the jamb liners can deflect when under relatively high levels of stress. Similarly, the top and bottom rails, as well as the stiles of the window sash for many window assemblies are also made from extruded plastic components, which are then welded together at the joints. The plastic extruded top and bottom rails can similarly bow and/or deflect, when significant external forces are applied.  
      One goal of the window industry is to design windows that can survive ever increasing external forces, while not meaningfully sacrificing the benefits commonly associated with each of the various types of windows. For a tiltable window, this includes the ability of a sash to move within a frame while in plane between an open and a closed position and for a sash to conveniently tilt for access to the external surface of a sash from inside the structure within which the window is installed. The need to be able to tilt the window sash limits the nature and the number of user actuatable support points, which might need to be released to enable the window to be released from the frame. Furthermore, any changes to the window must be balanced relative to the relative cost impact associated with the changes.  
      Another trend in the industry is toward increasingly larger window sizes, not only to meet egress requirements, but to meet the preferences of many users toward windows, which allow more light into the building. However as window sizes increase, the distance between support points become larger, and window sash surface areas, which are subjected to external forces, also increases. The same can result in higher aggregate forces and torque relative to the support points, which need to be accounted for in the larger windows.  
      Additionally, municipalities are increasingly requiring stricter survivability guidelines through an adjustment of the appropriate building code requirements. As building codes requirements are adjusted to increase the minimal thresholds of the amount of various types of external forces that a window should be able to survive, window manufacturers are tasked with meeting the more stringent code requirements, or alternatively, would be faced with not being able to sell their product in the market for the areas having the more stringent code requirements. Consequently, window manufacturers are always looking for cost effective ways to enhance the survivability of windows under more extreme conditions, which does not materially affect the ease of use of the window for its intended purposes, or the features of the window, which have come to be expected and therefore may be an important purchasing criteria of the consumer. Consequently, it would be beneficial to develop changes in the window structure and/or window component structures, which provides additional support for maintaining a window sash within a window frame without materially impeding the normal expected usage including the ability of the sash to be able to readily tilt, when desired.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      A stile latch is provided, which includes a bolt adapted to extend at least partially into a slot, which aligns with the bolt in at least one predefined position along a path of travel of a sash within a frame, while the sash is substantially in plane with the frame. The bolt has a ramped facing, which is adapted to engage an edge of the slot, when the bolt moves from the aligned at least one predefined position toward an unaligned position in at least a first direction of substantially in plane travel. The stile latch further includes a tension device coupled to the bolt, which biases the bolt toward an extended position, that extends the bolt into the slot, when the bolt and the slot are aligned in the at least one predefined position.  
      In at least one embodiment of the invention, the bolt is coupled to a stile of the sash and is adapted to extend into a slot in a side jamb of the frame.  
      In at least a further embodiment, the bolt is coupled to a side jamb of the frame and is adapted to extend into a slot in a stile of the sash.  
      In a further aspect of the present invention, a window assembly is provided. The window assembly includes a window frame having a pair of oppositely facing side jambs, and at least one window sash, wherein the window sash is received within the window frame. Each window sash includes a top rail, a bottom rail, a pair of stiles, and one or more stile latches. Each stile latch includes a bolt adapted to extend at least partially into a slot, which aligns with the bolt in at least one predefined position along a path of travel of a sash within a frame, while the sash is substantially in plane with the frame. The bolt has a ramped facing, which is adapted to engage an edge of the slot, when the bolt moves from the aligned at least one predefined position toward an unaligned position in at least a first direction of substantially in plane travel. The stile latch further includes a tension device coupled to the bolt, which biases the bolt toward an extended position, that extends the bolt into the slot, when the bolt and the slot are aligned in the at least one predefined position.  
      Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a tiltable sash window;  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the tiltable sash window, illustrated in  FIG. 1 , with a portion broken away and showing the lower sash being tilted out of the window frame;  
       FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of an exemplary jamb liner and associated mounting and support hardware, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view of a side stile of a window sash assembly, as well as corresponding window components, for use in connection with the corresponding jamb liner and associated mounting and support hardware, illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the stile latch, illustrated in  FIG. 4 ;  
       FIGS. 6A-6D  are top, front, bottom and side isometric views of a bolt of the stile latch, illustrated in  FIGS. 2-5 ;  
       FIGS. 7A-7C  are top, front and side isometric views of a main housing of the stile latch for use with the bolt, illustrated in  FIGS. 6A-6D ;  
       FIG. 8  is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a stile latch;  
       FIG. 9  is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a bolt;  
       FIGS. 10A-10C  are successive partial cut away side views of a window frame, which illustrate the interaction of a stile latch with a slot as the stile latch moves between aligned and unaligned positions, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 11  is a partial cut away side view of a window frame, which illustrates the interaction of a stile latch having the alternative embodiment of a bolt, shown in  FIG. 9 , with a slot. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.  
      Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, there is illustrated in  FIG. 1 a  perspective view of a tiltable sash window assembly  10 . The window assembly  10  has an upper outer (i.e. top) window sash  12  and a lower inner (i.e. bottom) window sash  14 , which fit within two oppositely placed side jambs  16 . Located within each of the two side jambs  16  is at least one jamb pocket  18 . Coupled proximate to the top of at least the bottom window sash  14  is a pair of latch mechanisms  20  ( FIG. 2 ), which are each located on opposite sides of the window sash  12 ,  14 . The latch mechanisms  20  selectively engage the side jamb, and, while engaged, fix the top of the window sash  12 ,  14  relative to the side jamb  16 . In at least some embodiments, a window sash balance shoe  19  and a tensioning device or spring  21  is located within each jamb pocket  18 , which couples to the window sash and provides a counter balance force for the window sash  12 ,  14 , examples of which are illustrated in  FIG. 3 .  
      The window sashes  12 ,  14  are each coupled to their corresponding window sash balance shoes  19  via a corresponding number (i.e. pair) of pivot bars  23 , which are attached to the bottom of the window sashes  12 ,  14 , an example of which is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The pivot bar  23  allows the window sash  12 ,  14  to pivot between a vertical and a horizontal position as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , when the latch mechanism  20 , and correspondingly the top of the window sash  12 ,  14 , is released from the side jamb  16 .  
      In the illustrated embodiment, each window sash includes a top rail  22 , a bottom rail  24 , and a pair of side stiles  26 . In at least the illustrated embodiment, a pair of latch mechanisms  20  are coupled to the top rail of at least the bottom sash. At least the bottom sash  14 , additionally includes a pair of stile latches  28  which each selectively engages a corresponding slot  30 . In  FIG. 2 , only the stile latch  28  associated with the left side stile can be seen, and the slot  30  associated with the right side stile, and the unseen right side stile latch, can be seen. In the illustrated embodiment, the stile latch  28  is coupled to the side stile  26  of the window sash, and the illustrated slot  30  is formed in the side jamb  16  of the window assembly  10 .  
       FIG. 3  illustrates a partial perspective view of an exemplary jamb liner  31 , which commonly forms at least part of a side jamb  16 .  FIG. 3  further illustrates associated mounting and support hardware, relative to the jamb liner  31 , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. Relative to at least the illustrated embodiment, the jamb liner  31  includes at least one jamb pocket  18 , and one or more openings  32  that run, at least partially, the length of the jamb liner  31 . In many instances, the opening will have a length, which minimally enables the tilt bar  23  to laterally traverse unobstructed within the window frame in order to enable the intended lateral movement of the corresponding window sash  14 . The window frame generally forms the portion of the window assembly  10 , which defines the outer boundary of the assembly.  
      A window sash balance shoe  19 , to which the tilt bar  23  of the sash  14  will commonly be received, and a corresponding tensioning device or spring  21  generally reside within the jamb pocket  18  of the side jamb  16 . An example of each of a window sash balance shoe  19  and corresponding tensioning device/spring  21  are each described and illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,188, entitled “Window Sash Balance Shoe with Friction Adjust Mechanism”, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.  
      The tilt bar  23 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , will generally be coupled to the bottom of the sash  14  and have an end, which can extend into the opening  32  of the jamb liner  31 . In at least some instances, the end of the tilt bar  23 , which extends into the opening  32  selectively couples to the window sash balance shoe  19 , via a cam  36 , which can rotate relative to the balance shoe  19 , thereby enabling the tilt movement of the window sash  14 , relative to the window frame. In some of these instances, the cam  36  may be adapted to lock the movement of the balance shoe within the jamb pocket, when the window sash  14  is tilted (i.e. such as out of plane) relative to the window frame.  
      In the illustrated embodiment, only a portion of the tensioning device/spring  21  is shown. In many instances, the spring  21  will extend from the window sash balance shoe  19  and extend and attach to the window frame proximate the top of the jamb pocket  18 , or in the same or other instances at least as high as the intended movement of the corresponding sash  14 . The tensioning device/spring is generally intended to provide a force, which helps to balance/offset the weight of the sash, thereby making the sash easier to move, often vertically and/or against the force of gravity, while the sash is within (i.e. substantially in plane relative to) the window frame.  
      In at least some instances, the one or more openings  32  can be interrupted and/or obstructed, at least partially, by a cross member or pocket brace  34 , which is adapted to selectively engage a protrusion  40  at the end of a bolt  38 , illustrated in  FIG. 4 , which forms part of a tilt latch or latch mechanism  20 , which as previously noted is typically coupled to and/or mounted on the top rail  22  of at least the bottom sash  14 . In at least some embodiments, the protrusion will move between an engaged position and a non-engaged position as the sash  14  moves within the window assembly  10 , and more specifically the window frame, while remaining substantially non-tilted (i.e. in plane). In many window assemblies, the in plane or non-tilted movement is in a substantially vertical direction. In other instances, the in plane or non-tilted movement is in a substantially horizontal direction. The in plane movement of the sash will typically move in the direction of and along the length of the jamb  16 . When the jamb is substantially horizontal, and correspondingly supports an in plane sash movement in a horizontal direction, the jamb can sometimes be referred to as a track. An example of a latch mechanism  20  and pocket brace  34  are each described and illustrated in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/325,622, entitled “A Latch Mechanism with Protrusion and Corresponding Pocket Brace”, filed Dec. 18, 2002, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.  
      In the illustrated embodiment, the jamb liner  31 , additionally includes a slot  30 , which can be formed by cutting away a notch in the exposed facing of the jamb liner  31 . The slot  30  can be separate from or overlap at least partially with the one or more openings  32  in the jamb liner  31 , which provides tilt bar  23  access to the window sash balance shoe  19 . The slot  30  is adapted to receive, a bolt  42  of a stile latch  28 , when the bolt  42  is in alignment with the slot  30  in at least one corresponding predefined position. The stile latch  28  and corresponding bolt  42  is illustrated in  FIG. 4 , which is a partial perspective view of a side stile  26  of a window sash assembly.  FIG. 4  additionally illustrates other window components, for use in connection with the corresponding jamb liner and associated mounting and support hardware, illustrated in  FIG. 3 , such as the latch mechanism  20  and tilt latch  23 , discussed above.  
      In the illustrated embodiment, the stile latch  28  additionally includes a housing  44 , which provides a pocket (illustrated more clearly in  FIG. 5 ) having well formed surfaces within which the bolt  42  can be received and can travel. The housing can provide more detailed features, which can be specifically adapted to work with the bolt, while minimizing the impact upon a stile  26  which can sometimes be formed through an extrusion process, wherein an appropriately sized hole can be cut in the stile  26  at the desired location for receiving the housing  44  of the stile latch  28 . The hole in the stile  26  within which the stile latch  28  is received is positioned to coincide with the corresponding slot  30  formed within the jamb liner  31 , when the sash is in a predetermined position relative to the window frame. In at least one embodiment, the latch  28  will be in alignment with the slot  30 , when the sash is in a closed position. For the lower sash  14 , the closed position generally corresponds to the lowest vertical position within a window frame, which limits the movement of air between opposite sides of the window frame via the space outlined by the window frame. Relative to the sash  14 , in at least one embodiment, the stile latch  28  is positioned proximately midway the length of the stile  26 . Correspondingly, the slot  30  is appropriately positioned. While the illustrated embodiment includes a housing  44 , one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that it is possible that the pocket formed by the housing  44  could alternatively be formed directly into the stile  26  of the sash  14  thereby enjoying at least some of the benefits provided by the housing  44  without the use of a separate element.  
      As noted previously, when the stile latch  28  is in alignment with the slot  30 , the bolt  42  will extend into the slot  30 . When the bolt  42  of the stile latch  28  extends into the slot  30 , a bracing face  46  on the bolt is adapted to move behind, proximate to, and/or in contact with a bracing edge  48  of the slot  30 . By moving behind, proximate to, and/or in contact with the bracing edge  48 , the bracing face  46  of the bolt creates an area of overlap, which provides additional support against any out of plane movement of the sash  14 , relative to the frame of the window assembly  10 . In at least one embodiment, the bracing face  46  is proximately perpendicular to the direction of out of plane travel more likely to be induced by a differential between internal and external air pressure, such as the type which can be produced by extreme weather conditions.  
      In at least one embodiment, the bolt  42  is biased toward an extended position by a tension device, such as a spring  49 , which is illustrated in  FIG. 5 . In at least some embodiments, the bolt  42  additionally includes a first deflecting surface  50 , such as a ramped facing, which is adapted to interact with any exposed portion of the jamb liner  31  or other part of the window assembly, which might interfere with the bolt  42 , when the bolt is in an extended position, and cause the bolt  42  to automatically deflect when the sash  14  moves (i.e. tilts) between an out of plane position to an in plane position relative to the frame of the window assembly  10 . The first deflecting surface  50  can include a facing which is exposed to a corresponding portion of the jamb liner  31 , when the bolt  42  is extended, at an angle, so as to deflect the bolt  42  away from an extended and interfering position into the housing  44  against the bias of the tension device  49 , such that the bolt  42  will no longer interfere with the sash  14 , when the sash  14  moves from the out of plane position toward the in plane position.  
      The bolt generally includes one or more deflecting surfaces  52 , which are different from the sometimes optional first deflecting surface  50 . Deflecting surface(s)  52  is adapted to interact with one or more corresponding edges  54 , of the slot  30 , when the bolt  42  is in an extended position, and moves between a position where the bolt  42  is aligned with the slot  30  and a position where the bolt is not aligned with the slot  30 , relative to a lateral in plane movement of the sash while the sash is within the plane of the frame of the window assembly. The one or more deflecting surfaces  52  have respective facings which are exposed to the corresponding edges  54  at an angle so as to similarly deflect the bolt  42  away from an extended and interfering position, against the bias of the tension device, when the sash  14  moves from the aligned position to an unaligned position respective to each one of one or more slots  30 . Each deflecting surface  52 , where multiple deflecting surfaces are present, are ramped in a different direction to facilitate the proper deflection of the bolt  42  corresponding to the bolt/slot interaction in an opposite direction of lateral movement by the sash  14 , while the sash  14  is in plane relative to the frame of the window assembly  10 .  
      In at least some instances, the bolt  42  may only interact with the slot  30  in one direction of travel, as the aligned position is placed at a point where the bolt  42  is against one of the sides of the window frame in the direction of in plane travel, such as the bottom. In such instances, it may still be beneficial to include alternative ramped surfaces, corresponding to opposite directions of in plane travel, in order for the same part to be able to be alternatively installed on opposite stiles  26  in the window sash  14 . In other instances, the bolt  42  may only include a single deflecting surface  52 , relative to the particular direction of lateral, in plane, travel that the sash  14  is intended to move in order for the bolt  42  to exit the aligned position. In these instances, it may be beneficial to incorporate a tail on the opposite side of the bolt, further discussed below in connection with  FIGS. 9 and 11 , which is adapted to slide behind a corresponding edge  54  of the slot  30 , which might not extend the full length of travel in the aligned position, as the sash  14  moves toward an extreme lateral position, such as the bottom, within the frame of the window assembly. Such an extreme lateral position may correspond to the position of a sash  14 , within the window assembly, when the window is said to be closed. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate, that the inclusion of any such overlap is not restricted to when sash  14  is in an extreme position relative to the window assembly, but is likely to correspond proximately to the limit of lateral movement in a particular direction of in plane travel.  
       FIG. 5  illustrates an exploded perspective view of a stile latch  28 , illustrated in  FIG. 4 . In the exploded view, the relationship of the spring  49  relative to the bolt  42  and the housing  44  is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing  44  has a pocket  56  within which the bolt is received and can travel. In the illustrated embodiment, the pocket has a finite depth, which ends at the bottom  58  of the housing  44 , which at least partially closes the end of the pocket  56 , and forms a surface against which one end of the spring  49  can be braced. Respective notches  60  proximate the top of the internal portion of the sidewall  62  of the housing  44  provide a keyed surface along which a protrusion  64  on the side of the bolt  42  is received and retained during the expected travel of the bolt  42  within the housing  44 . A pair of ridges  66 , which extends from respective sides of the bolt proximate the bottom of the bolt, one of which can be seen in  FIG. 5 , travels within an opening  68  in the sidewall  62  of the housing  44 . The ridges  66  interact with the top of the opening  68  in the sidewall  62  of the housing  44  to limit travel of bolt  42  within the pocket  56  of the housing  44  as it moves toward an extended position.  
      In the illustrated embodiment, the top of the bolt  42  includes an overhang  70  which includes the bracing face  46  and portions of the deflecting surface(s)  52 . A notch  72  is formed at one edge of the pocket  56  proximate the top of the housing  44  for receiving the overhang  70  of the bolt  42 . The housing further has a ridge  74  which extends circumferentially outward from the side of the housing  44 , and which effectively limits the depth that the housing  44  can extend into an opening in the stile  26 , as well as provides a smooth cosmetic finish at the top of the housing  44  proximate the opening in the stile  26 . Prong like extensions  76  formed in the external surface of the housing  44  help retain the housing  44  within the stile  26 .  
       FIGS. 6A-6D  illustrate top, front, bottom and side isometric views of a bolt  42  of the stile latch  28 , illustrated in  FIGS. 2-5 , and  FIGS. 7A-7C  illustrate top, front and side isometric views of a main housing  44  of the stile latch  28  for use with the bolt  42 , illustrated in  FIGS. 6A-6D , relative to at least one embodiment of the present invention. The isometric views, in some instances may help to further illustrate at least some of the features of each of the bolt  42  and the housing  44 , illustrated in other views. However some of the isometric views help illustrate further features, which can not be seen in the other non-isometric views. For example,  FIG. 6C  further illustrates three relatively shallow circular depressions  78 , which are adapted for receiving one of the ends of up to three springs  49 . The actual number of springs  49  used can be varied depending upon the desired amount and/or nature of the force for biasing the bolt in an extended position. While three positions  78  are illustrated for receiving an end of a spring  49 , in at least one embodiment only one spring  49  is used. In the event that the number of springs desired were to exceed three, an alternate configuration could be used including a different number of depressions could be provided. Corresponding depressions  80  are similarly provided at the bottom  58  of the housing  44 , illustrated in  FIG. 7A . Additional prong like extensions  76  are further visible along other sides of the housing  44 .  
       FIG. 8  illustrates a top view of an alternative embodiment of a stile latch  82 . Stile latch  82  includes a relatively narrower profile, with slightly different side geometries associated with the pocket and the side of the bolt. Additionally, the housing includes side tabs  84  having countersunk openings  86  for receiving a fastener, and attaching the same to either a sash  14  or the side jamb of the window assembly  10 .  
       FIG. 9  illustrates a front view of an alternative embodiment of a bolt  88 . Whereas bolt  42  illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 4 - 6  included a pair of deflecting surface  52 , bolt  88  has a single deflecting surface  90  and a tail  92  located opposite the deflecting surface  90 , which is discussed above with respect to  FIG. 4 , and below with respect to  FIG. 11 .  
       FIGS. 10A-10C  illustrate successive partial cut away side views of a window frame, which illustrate the interaction of a stile latch with a slot as the stile latch moves between aligned and unaligned positions, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. More specifically,  FIG. 10A  illustrates an example where the bolt is aligned with the slot, and able to extend at least partially into the slot, which enables the bracing surface  46  to at least partially coincide with the bracing edge  48  of the slot  30  in order to resist any out of plane movement of the sash  14 . As the sash  14  moves laterally in plane toward a position which is out of alignment, the deflecting surface  52  engages an edge  54  of the slot  30  in the direction of in plane travel at a point  94  along the ramped facing, thereby creating a biasing force  96 , which has a force component which deflects the bolt  42  away from an extended position against the force of the spring  49 , as shown in  FIG. 10B . The bolt  42  will continue to retract as the sash moves further laterally, while in plane, until the bolt  42  is effectively no longer extended within the slot  30 , as shown in  FIG. 10C . At this point, the bracing surface  46  generally no longer coincides with the bracing edge  48 , and as a result, the bolt is no longer positioned to resist out of plane movement, thereby enabling the sash to more readily tilt out of plane of the frame of the window assembly  10 .  
      Where the bolt  42  and the slot  30  are positioned to be in alignment, when the window sash  14  is in a closed position, the lateral movement which causes the automatic release of the stile latch can coincide with an amount of movement sometimes required for the bottom of the sash  14  to clear the sill located at the bottom of many traditional windows. This minimal amount of movement for releasing the stile latch  28  can help prevent damage to the sash  14  or the sill, if one were to attempt to forceably tilt the window sash  14  before the bottom of the sash  14  has cleared the top of the sill.  
       FIG. 11  illustrates a partial cut away side view of a window frame, which illustrates the interaction of a stile latch  98  with a slot, where the stile latch  98  has the alternative embodiment of a bolt  88 , shown in  FIG. 9 , which has a tail  90  in place of a second deflecting surface. In absence of a second deflecting surface, after the bolt  88  extends into the slot, the bolt  88  of the stile latch  98  can be adapted to extend beyond the unused interfering edge  54  thereby capturing the same at least partially behind the overhang  70  of the bolt  98 . This greater amount of interaction between the bolt  98  and the slot  30  can provide a more substantial interaction between the bracing surface  46  and the bracing edge  48 , thereby potentially providing even greater resistance to any attempted out of plane movement.  
      While the present invention has largely been described where the stile latch  28  is received in the side of the sash  14  and the slot is formed in the jamb liner  31 , one skilled in the art will appreciate that the stile latch  28  could alternatively be received in an opening in the jamb liner and the slot  30  could alternatively be formed in the side of the sash  14  without departing from the teachings and while still enjoying the benefits of the present invention.  
      From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.