Patent Publication Number: US-11041326-B2

Title: Direct action window lock

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 14,533,527, filed Nov. 5, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/457,788, filed Apr. 27, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,899,632, issued Dec. 2, 2014, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/521,086 filed Sep. 14, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,182,001, issued May 22, 2012, all entitled “DIRECT ACTION WINDOW LOCK”, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of window locks, and more particularly to an improved self locking window latch for a sliding window. A window latch secures a window sash when it is in the closed. In sliding windows, where a window sash is slid relative to another sash, the latch is first released in order to slide the window to the open position. When the window is slid back to its closed position, the latch is used to lock the window in place. If the latch is not moved to the locked position, the window may be opened by simply sliding the window to the open position permitting unwanted entry. An automatically locking mechanism helps to ensure that the window sash is properly locked when the window is slid to the closed position. One such locking mechanism is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,501. The latch described in the &#39;501 patent includes a handle that is in an upwardly pointing direction, the locking mechanism is released by depressing the handle downwardly, the window sash is then slid in a direction opposite to the first direction that the handle is depressed. Once the window sash is slid open the handle disclosed in the &#39;501 patent the handle returns to the upward position. 
     It would be desirable to provide an automatically locking mechanism where the handle is moved in the same direction that window sash slides when moving the window sash to the open position. Further it would be desirable for the handle to have a first position when the window sash is locked and a second perceptually visible different position when the window sash is not locked. It would also be desirable for the engagement elements to be retained in an unlocked position while the window sash is open and automatically move to the locked position when the window sash is closed. Further it would be desirable to achieve the noted features while providing a secure lock. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One embodiment of the invention relates to a window latch for a sliding window having a sliding sash including a latch plate and a housing. The housing includes an engagement element movable relative to the housing from a locked position operatively engaged with the latch plate to an unlocked position disengaged from the latch plate. A handle is operatively coupled to the engagement element and movable from a first position to a second position in a first direction corresponding to the direction the sliding sash to which the handle is attached moves to an open position. The handle operatively moves the engagement element from the locked position to the unlocked position as the handle is moved in the first direction toward the second position. 
     In another embodiment a window latch for a sliding sash window includes a handle movable between a first position and a second position. An engagement member is movable between an extended locked position and a retracted unlocked position. The engagement element is biased toward the extended locked position by a spring element. A stop member is movable from an engaged position in which the stop member retains the engagement element in the retracted unlocked position to a disengaged position in which the engagement element is free to move to the extended locked position. A latch plate is configured to receive the engagement element in the extended locked position and a strike member configured to contact a portion of the stop member. The stop member being moved to the disengaged position when the stop member contacts the strike member, and being biased to the engaged position when the stop member does not contact the strike member. 
     In still another embodiment a window latch for a sliding window includes a first sash movable between a closed position and an open position along a first direction, a handle movable in the first direction from a first lowered position to a second raised position. An engagement element is releasably movable from an extended locked position to a retracted unlocked position. The handle is operatively held in the second raised position by a spring element when the first sash is in the open position and the engagement element is in the retracted unlocked position. 
     In yet another embodiment a sliding window includes a first sash slidable relative to a second sash. A latch is operatively attached to the first sash and a latch plate is operatively attached to the second sash. The latch includes a engagement element that extends from the first sash and is received in an opening in the second sash to lock the first and second sash together. A handle pivots from a first lowered position proximate the first sash to a second raised direction where a free end of the handle is away from the first sash in the same direction that the first sash moves when the first sash is opened relative to the second sash. The handle retracts the engagement element from the second sash unlocking the first and second sash as the handle is moved toward the second position. 
     Additionally, the handle may be held in at least a partially raised position relative to the first sash when then the first sash is open and the engagement element is in the retracted unlocked position. The handle being automatically returned to the first lowered position when the first sash is closed and the engagement elements are biased to the locked position. Further, the engagement element may automatically be returned to the extended locked position when the first sash is moved to the closed position. 
     In still a further embodiment, a method of unlocking and locking a sliding window having a first and second sash includes securing a latch to the first sash and a latch plate to the second sash. The latch includes a handle, and an engagement element. Unlocking the engagement element from the latch plate by moving the handle in the same direction that the first sash moves to the open position relative to the second sash. Retaining the handle in a raised position by a spring element while the first sash is in the open position and the engagement element is in the unlocked position. Moving the first sash toward the closed position and automatically releasing and biasing the engagement element into the locked position and automatically moving the handle to the lowered position when the engagement element is in the locked position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric partially exploded view of a latch and latch plate on respective sashes. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the latch and latch plate of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is partial exploded view of the latch of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the latch and latch plate in a locked position taken along lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3   
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the latch and latch plate of  FIG. 4  in an unlocked position. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the fully assembled latch and latch plate with the latch in a locked position showing the actuator pawl taken generally along lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the latch and latch plate of  FIG. 6  showing the actuator pawl taken generally along lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 3  when the latch is in the unlocked position. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the fully assembled latch and latch plate with the latch in a locked position showing the actuator pawl and lockout tab taken generally along lines  8 - 8  of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the fully assembled latch and latch plate of  FIG. 8  showing the actuator pawl and lockout tab when the latch is in the unlocked position. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the fully assembled latch and latch plate of  FIG. 8  showing the actuator pawl and lockout tab when the sash is in an open position and the latch is moved away from the latch plate. 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the fully assembled latch and latch plate of  FIG. 8  showing the actuator pawl and lockout tab when the sash is in the open position and the handle is in a partially raised position. 
         FIG. 12  is an isometric partially exploded view of a latch and latch plate on respective sashes according to another exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded view of the latch and latch plate of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is partial exploded view of the latch of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the latch and latch plate in a locked position taken along lines  15 - 15  of  FIG. 14   
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of the latch and latch plate of  FIG. 15  in an unlocked position. 
         FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of the fully assembled latch and latch plate with the latch in a locked position showing the actuator pawl taken generally along lines  17 - 17  of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view of the latch and latch plate of  FIG. 17  showing the actuator pawl taken generally along lines  17 - 17  of  FIG. 14  when the latch is in the unlocked position. 
         FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view of the fully assembled latch and latch plate with the latch in a locked position showing the actuator pawl and lockout tab taken generally along lines  19 - 19  of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view of the fully assembled latch and latch plate of  FIG. 19  showing the actuator pawl and lockout tab when the latch is in the unlocked position. 
         FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view of the fully assembled latch and latch plate of  FIG. 19  showing the actuator pawl and lockout tab when the sash is in an open position and the latch is moved away from the latch plate. 
         FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view of the fully assembled latch and latch plate of  FIG. 19  showing the actuator pawl and lockout tab when the sash is in the open position and the handle is in a partially raised position. 
         FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional view of the latch and latch plate of  FIG. 15  in an unlocked position with the handle forced into a closed position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a latch mechanism  10  includes a latch  12  and a latch plate  14 . Latch  12  is located in a recess in a first rail  16  of a first or moving sash  18 . Latch plate  14  is secured to a second rail  20  of a second sash  22 . Latch  12  includes a handle  24  that is pivotally attached to a handle faceplate or bezel frame  26 . A latch housing  28  includes a cover plate  30  and a base  32 . Two bolt assemblies  36  are independently slidably positioned within base  32  between a first extended locked position to a second retracted unlocked position. A lockout stop or lockout assembly  34  is pivotally attached to base  32  to retain handle  24  in a partially raised position when latch  10  is moved away from the latch plate  14  and sash  18  is in an open position relative to sash  22 . 
     The latch mechanism  10  may be used on a sliding window including horizontal sliding windows and vertical sliding windows. A horizontal sliding window is often referred to as a horizontal slider while a vertical sliding window is often referred to as a single hung or double hung window. While the latch mechanism  10  may be used with different types of sliding windows including those identified above, latch mechanism  10  will be described relative to a vertical sliding window. Accordingly, the direction “up” or “upper” is used to reference a general vector direction away from the force of gravity or the direction first sash  18  moves as it is opened relative to second sash  22 . The term “rear” is used to describe the surface of the first sash that is proximate to or closer to the second sash. While the term “front” is used to describe the surface that a person would see facing the window from inside of a building structure. The term “rail” as used in the description describes the horizontal rail on the sash. However, when latch mechanism  10  is used on a horizontal sliding window the term stile would be more appropriate. In the case of a horizontal sliding window, the term “up” would be the direction the first sash moves as the first sash is being opened relative to the second sash. 
     Latch mechanism  10  provides an easy and intuitive operation to open a window sash  18 . A user simply raises handle  24  in an upward direction thereby unlocking the bolt assemblies  36  from the latch plate  14  and moves the first sash  18  in an upward direction. As described below in the preferred embodiment handle  24  is pivotally coupled to the window sash, however, the general direction that the handle moves is in an upward direction. Accordingly, as used herein the movement of the handle is referred to as moving in a first direction that corresponds to the vector direction of the movable sash in the window. As first sash  18  is opened relative to second sash  22 , the lockout assembly  34  keeps bolt assemblies  36  in a partially retracted unlocked position. The partial retraction of bolt assemblies  36  prevents possible damage to the window frame, glass or applied mounting bars. Handle  24  remains in a partially raised position without the assistance of the user when first sash  18  is not in the fully closed position and latch mechanism  10  is not positively locked. When the user returns first sash  18  to a closed position, lockout assembly  34  is tripped and allows bolt assemblies  36  to automatically extend into the apertures  160  of latch plate  14  thereby positively locking first sash  18  and second sash  22  together. Handle  24  automatically returns to a flush downward position providing a visual indicator that latch mechanism  10  is positively locked. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 , first rail  16  includes a top surface  38 , a first downwardly extending portion  40  and a second downwardly extending portion  42 . A ledge  44  extends from top surface  38  beyond second downwardly extending surface  42 . Ledge  44  provides a user with an area to grab first rail  16  when sliding first sash  18  relative to second sash  22 . Bezel frame  26  includes a top surface  46  and an opposing bottom surface  48  that contacts the top surface  38  and ledge  44 . Bezel frame also includes a downwardly extending portion  45  that contacts and covers a portion of downwardly extending portion  42  of first rail  16 . Bezel frame  26  further includes a top land region  50  that includes downwardly extending tabs  52  that extend into aperture  54  in the top surface  38  of first rail  16 . Tabs  52  may also include an inward extending catch  56  that is configured to clip under an opposing bottom surface  58  of top surface  38  of first rail  16 . Bezel frame  26  further includes a second set of tabs  60  that extend downwardly into aperture  54 . Tabs  52  and  60  positively secure and help secure bezel frame  26  to first rail  16 . Bezel frame  26  further includes two apertures, recesses or bearings  62  proximate a rear portion  64  of bezel frame  26  to receive two pivot pins  66  of handle  24 . 
     Handle  24  includes a top plate  68  having a top surface  70 , a bottom surface  72 , a rear edge  74  and a front edge  76 . Pivot pins  66  extend from respective sides  78 ,  80  of top plate  68  proximate rear edge  74 . A pair of arms  82  extend downwardly from the bottom surface  72  of top plate  68  to retract the sliding bolt assemblies  36 . Referring to  FIG. 2  the top surface  70  of top plate  68  is substantially flush with the top surface  46  of bezel frame  26 . This provides for a low profile of the handle  24  relative to the top surface  38  of first rail  16 . That is the top surface of  70  of top plate  68  is raised only a small distance above the top surface of first rail  16 . Further the top surface  70  is substantially parallel to the top surface of first rail  16 . In a preferred embodiment, the top surface  70  of top plate  68  is 0.125 inches above the top surface  38  of first rail  16 . It would be preferable if the top surface  70  of top plate  68  were no greater than 0.250 inches above the top surface  38  of first rail  16 . However other distances such as 0.200 inches are acceptable as well. It is possible for the handle to be completely flush with the top surface of first rail  16  as well. This could be accomplished if the top surface of first rail  16  included an opening or recess sufficient to accommodate the thickness of the top plate of handle  24 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3  cover plate  30  is secured to base  32  with fasteners  84 . Cover plate  30  is further secured to base  32  with a downwardly extending flange  86  having an aperture  88  extending therethrough. Cover plate  30  includes three locator pins  90  for positioning the latch housing within first rail  16 . Locating pins  90  may be received in an aperture of first rail  16  or other connecting feature to positively locate the cover  30  relative to rail  16 . Cover plate  30  also includes two apertures  92  through which arms  82  of handle  24  extend. An aperture  93  is situated proximate flange  86  to receive a downwardly extending flange  95  of bezel frame  26 . 
     Base  32  includes a bottom panel  94  a front wall  96 , a rear wall  98  and a pair of side walls  100 . Extending upward from bottom panel  94  and substantially parallel to the side walls  100  are channel side walls  102 . A bolt slide channel  103  is formed between each pair of side walls  100  and  102 . Each side wall  100  includes a notch  104  located on an upper edge thereof. Extending from a rear side of front wall  96  in each of bolt slide channel  103  is a post  106  configured to received a bolt spring  166 . Another post  108  configured to receive a pawl spring  124  extends upwardly from the bottom panel  94  intermediate the channel side walls  102 . Rear wall  98  includes an aperture  110  and front wall  96  includes an aligned aperture  112 . A fastener  114  extends through aperture  110  in cover plate  30 , aperture  115  in bezel frame  26 , aperture  110  in base rear wall  98 , aperture  112  in base front wall  96  and into a nut  116 . Nut  116  is secured to a downwardly extending portion  45  of bezel frame  26 . Nut  116  extends from bezel frame  26  through an opening in rail  16 . In a preferred embodiment, nut  116  is operatively connected to bezel frame  26  with a tongue and groove arrangement. In this manner the components are secured to one another. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2  lockout assembly  34  includes a pair of pivot pins  118  that are supported in two bearings (not shown) defined by cover  30  and base  32 . Lockout assembly  34  includes a cam pawl  120  and a pair of ramps  122 . A u-shaped portion  123  permits lockout assembly  34  to pivot within base  32  without interference with fastener  114 . A pawl spring  124  is located on post  108  and operatively contacts a bottom portion of cam pawl  120 . Cam pawl  120  includes a strike portion that extends through an opening  126  in the rear wall  98  of base  32 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3  each bolt assembly  36  includes an engagement element or bolt housing  128  having a bottom surface  130  that slides along the bottom panel  94  of base  32 . Bolt housing  128  further includes a pair of upstanding walls  132  and a rear portion  134  having a first beveled strike surface  136  and a second upper surface  138 . Bolt housing includes a bolt spring receiving channel  139  formed by side walls  132  and a cross wall  140  extending therebetween a fixed distance from the ends of the front edge of walls  130 ,  132 . A handle arm receiving channel  142  is formed between cross wall  140  and the rear portion  134 . A shuttle  144  having at least one groove  146  slides on a tongue  148  extending inwardly on side walls  132 . A handle spring  150  extends between rear portion  134  and shuttle  144  to bias the shuttle  144  into the handle arm receiving channel  142 . Bolt housing  128  further includes a first tab  152  extending through notch  104  and a second locking tab  154  extending through a notch  156  in each side wall  132 . Second locking tab  154  includes a rear edge surface  158 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , latch plate  14  includes a pair of apertures  160  extending inward from a front surface  162 . A striker  164  is located intermediate apertures  160  and extends outward from front surface  162  in a direction away from apertures  160 . 
     Latch mechanism  10  is installed on the first and second sashes. Handle  24  is located within bezel frame  26  by bringing the leading or front edge  76  through opening  172  of bezel frame  26 . Handle pivots  66  are seated within pivot bearing or groove  62  in bezel frame  26 . Latch  12  is assembled by first connecting lockout assembly  34  by connecting pivots  118  on a supporting groove or bearing portion on base  32 . A lock spring  124  is located on post  108  and extends upwardly toward pawl  120 . Bolt housings  128  are placed within a respective bolt housing channel  103 . A bolt spring  166  is located over each post  106  and fit between front wall  96  and a center wall  140  of bolt housing  128 . A handle spring  150  is located within bolt housing  128  between rear wall  141  and a movable shuttle  144 . Cover plate  30  is secured to base  32  with a plurality of fasteners  84 . Of course a single fastener or other known fasteners may be used to secure the cover to the base. The cover  30  and base  32  are located within an opening region in rail  16  by fitting three locator pins  90  within three respective recesses in rail  16 . 
     Bezel frame  26  and handle  24  are snapped onto a routed opening in first rail  16  of first sash  18 . A downwardly extending flange or tab  95  is located within opening  93  in cover  30 . A fastener or bolt  114  is thread through aperture  88  in flange  86  of cover  30 , through opening  115  in tab  95  of bezel frame  26 , opening  110  in rear wall  98  of base  32 , through opening  112  in front wall  96  of base  32  and finally into a nut  116  that is operatively connected to an inside surface  119  of downwardly extending portion  45  of bezel frame  26 . In this manner access to the latch mechanism is only through the rear surface of the movable sash  18  that faces second sash  22 . Latch plate  14  is secured to second sash  22  with a fastener  174 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4-11  the operation of latch  10  will be described. Handle  24 , bolt assemblies  36 , and lockout assembly  34  interact in the operation of the latch to releasably lock first and second sashes  18 ,  22  together. Referring to  FIGS. 4, 6 and 8  handle  24 , bolt assemblies  36  and lockout assembly are in a fully engaged and locked position. In the locked position the rear portion  134  of bolts  36  are located within respective apertures  160  in latch plate  14 . As a result first sash  18  is locked relative to second sash  22 . Bolt spring  166  is secured to post  106  and extends between front wall  96  of base  32  and intermediate wall  140  of bolt housing  128 . Bolt spring  166  acts to bias bolt housing  128  away from front wall  96  such that the rear portion  134  of the bolt housing extends into apertures  160  of latch plate  14 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , in the locked position cam pawl  120  is adjacent the front surface  162  of latch plate  14 . As a result the front portion of cam pawl  120  presses against pawl spring  124 . Referring to  FIG. 8 , in the locked position, ramps  122  are located below lock tabs  154  and therefore do not interfere with movement of bolt housing  128 . 
     To unlock the latch a front edge or  76  of handle  24  is raised away from first rail  16 . Referring to  FIG. 5  as handle  24  is raised, arms  82  contact center wall  140  of bolt housing  128  forcing bolt housing  128  toward front wall  96  of base  32 . As a result rear portion  134  of bolt housing  128  is retracted from apertures  160 . As arm  82  is pivoted toward the front of base  32 , handle spring  150  biases shuttle  144  against the rear face  170  of arm  82 . When bolt housing  128  is retracted, latch mechanism  10  is unlocked. However, as long as first sash  18  is in a closed position relative to second sash  22 , such that bolt assemblies  36  are in alignment with apertures  160 , bolt springs  166  will bias bolt housings  128  into the locked position when a user releases handle  24 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 9 , as long as first sash  18  remains fully closed relative to second sash  22 , when a user releases handle  24  it will return to the locked position where top surface  70  of handle  24  is substantially flush with top surface  46  of bezel frame  26 . Since the spring force of bolt spring  166  is greater than the spring force of handle spring  150 , when handle  24  is released by the user while in the unlocked and closed position then handle  24  will return to being flush with bezel frame  26 . Once handle  24  is released while sashes  18  and  22  are in a closed position, latch  12  will lock. Referring to  FIG. 10 , once a user has raised handle  24 , thereby unlocking latch  12 , and moves first sash  18  upward toward an open position, pawl  120  clears latch plate  14 . Once pawl  120  clears latch plate  14 , pawl  120  will be biased about pivot  118  by pawl spring  124 . In this position, ramps  122  extend upward and fall within the path of lock tab  154  of bolt housing  128 , prohibiting bolt housing  128  from being biased toward a fully extended and locked position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , as handle  24  is released, bolt housing  128  moves rearward under the spring force of bolt spring  166 . Bolt housing  128  moves rearward until lock tab  154  is stopped by ramp  122 . When first sash  18  is open and handle  24  is released, rear portion  134  of bolt housing  128  may extend beyond rear wall  98  of base  32 . It is also possible to design the location of ramps  122  to prohibit bolt housing  128  from extending beyond rear wall  98 . However, if bolt housing  128  does extend beyond rear wall  98 , second strike face  138  of rear portion  134  does not extend beyond a clearance distance D between first sash  18  and second sash  22 . In this open and released position, handle  24  is closer to top surface  38  of first rail  16  than when handle  24  is fully raised. Handle  24  does not fall back completely within bezel frame  26  under its own weight as a result of the spring force of handle spring  150  pushing against the handle. In this open and released position, handle  24  remains partially raised when the first sash  18  is open relative to the second sash  22 . A user may force handle  24  to its lowered position when the window is open and the unlocked by providing sufficient force to overcome the spring force of spring  150 . However, upon release of the force by the user, handle  24  will return to the at least partially raised position under the spring force of spring  150 . This assures that even if a user inadvertently attempts to force handle  24  to the lowered position while window sash  18  is opened, bolt housings  128  will not move to the engaged position and handle  24  will return to the at least partially raised position to provide a visual indicator that the window is not locked. 
     When a user closes the window by sliding first sash  18  back to the closed position, the top leading edge of pawl  120  contacts strike portion  164  of latch plate  14 . As a result, lockout assembly  34  rotates about pivots  118  releasing ramp  122  from the back edge of lock tab  154 . Once lock tab  154  is no longer constrained by ramp  122  of lockout assembly  34 , bolt housing  128  is biased rearward by bolt spring  166 . Bolt housing  128  is biased rearward such that the rear portion  134  of bolt housing  128  is located within apertures  160  of latch plate  14 . As bolt housing  128  is moved rearward, handle  24  is biased to the closed flush position by center wall  140  thereby indicating that the latch is in a locked configuration. If the bolt housing does not properly align with apertures  160  of latch plate  14 , a rear portion  134  of each bolt housing  128  includes a beveled portion  136  that will contact latch plate  14  as first sash  18  is being moved to a closed position relative to second sash  22 . As beveled portion  136  contacts latch plate  14 , bolt housing  128  is slid toward the front of the base  32  until rear portion  134  of bolt housing  128  clears front surface  162  and enters into aperture  160  of latch plate  14 . In the preferred embodiment, lockout assembly  34  does not release bolt housings  128  until rear portion  134  of bolt housings  128  are aligned with apertures  160 . 
     Each bolt housing  128  slides independently of the other bolt housing  128 . While a single lockout assembly  34  locks both bolt housings  128  in the open and unlocked position, once the lockout assembly  34  disengages with the bolt housing lock tabs  154 , each bolt housing  128  moves independently. This independent motion limits potential jams of the bolts within the housing. Even if one bolt housing  128  becomes jammed or stuck, the other bolt housing  128  can slide to the fully locked position thereby locking the first sash  18  relative to the second sash  22 . Further the linear motion of the bolt housing  128  helps to reduce possible jamming of bolt housings  128  within the latch mechanism. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , a latch mechanism  210  is shown according to another exemplary embodiment. Latch mechanism  210  includes a latch  212  and a striker plate or latch plate  214 . Latch  212  is located in a recess in a first rail  216  of a first or moving sash  218 . Latch plate  214  is secured to a second rail  220  of a second sash  222  and includes an recessed area or aperture  360  extending inward from a front surface  362 . Latch  212  includes a handle  224  that is pivotally attached to a handle faceplate or bezel frame  226 , a latch housing  228 , a bolt assembly  236 , and a lockout assembly  234 . Latch housing  228  includes a cover plate  230  and a base  232 . Bolt assembly  236  is slidably positioned within base  232  between a first extended locked position to a second retracted unlocked position. Lockout stop or lockout assembly  234  is pivotally attached to base  232  to retain handle  224  in a partially raised position when latch  210  is moved away from the latch plate  214  and sash  218  is in an open position relative to sash  222 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12, 13 and 15 , first rail  216  includes a top surface  238 , a first downwardly extending portion  240  and a second downwardly extending portion  242 . A ledge  244  extends from top surface  238  beyond second downwardly extending surface  242 . Ledge  244  provides a user with an area to grab first rail  216  when sliding first sash  218  relative to second sash  222 . 
     Bezel frame  226  includes a top surface  246  and an opposing bottom surface  248  that contacts the top surface  238  and ledge  244  of first rail  216 . Bezel frame  226  also includes a downwardly extending portion  245  that contacts and covers a portion of downwardly extending portion  242  of first rail  216 , a top land region  250  generally perpendicular to downwardly extending portion  245 , and a rear portion  264  generally opposite of downwardly extending portion  245 . Downwardly extending portion  245  has coupling features, shown as two generally L-shaped brackets or flanges  247  that are configured to receive a fastener bar  316 . Rear portion  264  includes a downwardly extending tab or protrusion  252  that may form an inward extending catch  256  that is configured to clip under an opposing bottom surface  258  of top surface  238  of first rail  216 . Tab  252  helps positively secure bezel frame  226  to first rail  216 . Bezel frame  226  further includes two tabs or flanges  295  that extend downward from bottom surface  248  that are configured to receive fasteners  314  in apertures  315 . Bezel frame  226  further includes two apertures, recesses or bearings  262  proximate a rear portion  264  of bezel frame  226  to receive two pivot pins  266  of handle  224 . 
     Handle  224  includes a top plate  268  having a top surface  270 , a bottom surface  272 , a rear edge  274  and a front edge  276 . Pivot pins  266  extend from respective sides  278 ,  280  of top plate  268  proximate rear edge  274 . An arm  282  extends downwardly from the bottom surface  272  of top plate  268  to retract sliding bolt assembly  236 . Referring to  FIG. 13  top surface  270  of top plate  268  is substantially flush with the top surface  246  of bezel frame  226 . This provides for a low profile of handle  224  relative to top surface  238  of first rail  216 . That is top surface of  270  of top plate  268  is raised only a small distance above top surface  238  of first rail  216 . Further top surface  270  is substantially parallel to top surface  238  of first rail  216 . In a preferred embodiment, top surface  270  of top plate  268  is 0.125 inches above top surface  238  of first rail  216 . It would be preferable if top surface  270  of top plate  268  were no greater than 0.250 inches above top surface  238  of first rail  216 . It is possible for the handle to be completely flush with the top surface of first rail  216  as well. This could be accomplished if the top surface of first rail  216  included an opening or recess sufficient to accommodate the thickness of the top plate of handle  224 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13 and 14  cover plate  230  is secured to base  232  with fasteners. Cover plate  230  includes an aperture  292  through which arm  282  of handle  224  extends and two apertures  293  through which flanges  295  of bezel frame  226  extend. Cover plate  230  further includes a plurality of apertures  285  (e.g., depressions, holes, hollows, sockets, etc.) that extend partially or completely through cover plate  230  and are configures to receive posts  284  on base  232 . 
     Base  232  includes a bottom panel  294  a front wall  296 , a rear wall  298  and a pair of side walls  300 . Extending upward from bottom panel  294  and substantially parallel to the side walls  300  are channel side walls  302 . A bolt slide channel or bolt housing channel  303  is formed between side walls  302 . Rear wall  298  forms an opening  326  that is configured to allow lockout assembly  234  to protrude outside base  232 . Rear side of front wall  296  includes two depressions or recessed areas  306  in bolt slide channel  303  that are configured to received bolt springs  366 . A post  308  configured to receive a pawl spring  324  extends upwardly from bottom panel  294  between one of side walls  300  and one of side walls  302 . 
     Base further includes a plurality of posts  284  (e.g., pegs, protrusions, outcroppings, etc.) that extend upward from base  232 . Posts  284  are configured to be received by corresponding apertures  285  in cover plate  230  and substantially align cover plate  230  with base  232 . Rear wall  298  includes an aperture  310  and front wall  196  includes an aligned aperture  312 . A fastener  314  extends through aperture  310  in base rear wall  298 , aperture  315  in bezel frame  226 , aperture  312  in base front wall  296  and into apertures  317  in fastener bar  316 . Fastener bar  316  is received by brackets  247  in downwardly extending portion  245  of bezel frame  226 . In a preferred embodiment, fastener bar  316  is operatively connected to base  232  with a tongue and groove arrangement and fasteners are coupled to apertures  317  (e.g., with a threaded connection). In this manner the components are secured to one another. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13  lockout assembly  234  includes a pivot pin  318  that is supported in a bearing (not shown) defined by cover  230  and base  232 . Lockout assembly  234  further includes a cam pawl  320  and a ramp  322 . A pawl spring  324  is located on post  308  and operatively contacts a bottom portion of cam pawl  320 . Cam pawl  320  includes a strike portion that extends through opening  326  in the rear wall  298  of base  232 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13 and 14  bolt assembly  236  includes an engagement element or bolt housing  328 , bolt springs  366 , a shuttle  344 , and a handle spring  350 . Bolt housing  328  has a bottom surface  330  that slides along the bottom panel  294  of base  232 . Bolt housing  328  further includes a pair of upstanding walls  332  and a rear portion  334  having a first beveled strike surface  336  and a second upper surface  338 . Bolt housing  328  further includes two posts  339  that are configured to receive bolt springs  366 . Bolt springs  366  bias bolt housing  328  towards rear wall  298  so that rear portion  334  protrudes through rear wall  298 . A stop portion  352  extends outward from bolt housing  328  and contacts the front surface of rear wall  298  to retain bolt housing  328  in bolt slide channel  303 . Bolt housing  328  further includes a tab  354  having a rear edge surface  358  that extends outward from bolt housing  328  opposite of stop portion  352 . 
     A channel  342  is formed in bolt housing  328  with a rear wall  341  and is configured to receive arm  282  of handle  268 , shuttle  344 , and handle spring  350 . Channel  342  includes at least one inwardly projecting tongue  348 . Shuttle  344  has at least one groove  346  and slides on tongue  348  in channel  342 . Handle spring  350  extends between rear portion  334  and shuttle  344  to bias shuttle  344  into channel  342 . 
     Latch mechanism  210  is installed on the first and second sashes  218 ,  222 . Handle  224  is located within bezel frame  226  by bringing the leading or front edge  276  through opening  372  of bezel frame  226 . Handle pivots  266  are seated within pivot bearing or groove  262  in bezel frame  226 . Latch  212  is assembled by first connecting lockout assembly  234  by connecting pivots  318  on a supporting groove or bearing portion on base  232 . A lock spring  324  is located on post  308  and extends upwardly toward pawl  320 . Bolt housing  328  is placed within bolt housing channel  303 . Bolt springs  366  are located in each depression  306  and fit between front wall  296  and posts  339  on bolt housing  328 . A handle spring  350  is located within bolt housing  328  between rear wall  341  and a movable shuttle  344 . Cover plate  230  is secured to base  232  by fitting posts  284  into apertures  285 . Of course the cover plate may be coupled to the base by other suitable means (e.g., screws or other fasteners, glue, snap-fit connections, etc.). Bezel frame  226  and handle  224  are snapped onto a routed opening in first rail  216  of first sash  218 . Fasteners or bolts  314  are thread through apertures  310 ,  315 , and  312  and into apertures  317  of fastener bar  316  that is operatively connected to downwardly extending portion  245  of bezel frame  226 . In this manner access to the latch mechanism is only through the rear surface of the movable sash  218  that faces second sash  222 . Striker plate  214  is secured to second sash  222  with fastening features  374 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15-22  the operation of latch  210  will be described. Handle  224 , bolt assembly  236 , and lockout assembly  234  interact in the operation of the latch to releasably lock first and second sashes  218 ,  222  together. Referring to  FIGS. 15, 17 and 19  handle  224 , bolt assemblies  236  and lockout assembly  234  are in a fully engaged and locked position. In the locked position the rear portion  334  of bolt housing  328  is located within recessed area  360  in latch plate  214 . As a result first sash  218  is locked relative to second sash  222 . Bolt spring  366  is received by depression  306  and extends between front wall  296  of base  232  and bolt housing  328 . Bolt spring  366  acts to bias bolt housing  328  away from front wall  296  such that the rear portion  334  of the bolt housing  328  extends into recessed area  360  of latch plate  214 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 17 , in the locked position cam pawl  320  is adjacent the front surface  362  of latch plate  214 . As a result the front portion of cam pawl  320  presses against pawl spring  324 . Referring to  FIG. 19 , in the locked position, ramp  322  is located below tab  354  and therefore does not interfere with movement of bolt housing  328 . 
     To unlock the latch a front edge  276  of handle  224  is raised away from first rail  216 . Referring to  FIG. 16  as handle  224  is raised, arm  282  contacts bolt housing  328  forcing bolt housing  328  toward front wall  296  of base  232 . As a result rear portion  334  of bolt housing  218  is retracted from recessed area  360 . As arm  282  is pivoted toward the front wall  296  of base  232 , handle spring  350  biases shuttle  344  against the rear face  370  of arm  282 . When bolt housing  328  is retracted, latch mechanism  210  is unlocked. However, as long as first sash  218  is in a closed position relative to second sash  222 , such that bolt assembly  236  is in alignment with recessed area  360 , bolt springs  366  will bias bolt housing  328  into the locked position when a user releases handle  224 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 18 and 20 , as long as first sash  218  remains fully closed relative to second sash  222 , when a user releases handle  224  it will return to the locked position where top surface  270  of handle  224  is substantially flush with top surface  246  of bezel frame  226 . Since the spring force of bolt spring  366  is greater than the spring force of handle spring  350 , when handle  224  is released by the user while in the unlocked and closed position then handle  224  will return to being flush with bezel frame  226 . Once handle  224  is released while sashes  218  and  222  are in a closed position, latch  212  will lock. Referring to  FIG. 21 , once a user has raised handle  224 , thereby unlocking latch  212 , and moves first sash  218  upward toward an open position, pawl  320  clears latch plate  214 . Once pawl  320  clears latch plate  214 , pawl  320  will be biased about pivot  318  by pawl spring  324 . In this position, ramp  322  extends upward and falls within the path of tab  354  of bolt housing  328 , prohibiting bolt housing  328  from being biased toward a fully extended and locked position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 22 , as handle  224  is released, bolt housing  328  moves rearward under the spring force of bolt springs  366 . Bolt housing  328  moves rearward until lock tab  354  is stopped by ramp  322 . When first sash  218  is open and handle  224  is released, rear portion  334  of bolt housing  328  may extend beyond rear wall  298  of base  232 . It is also possible to design the location of ramps  322  to prohibit bolt housing  328  from extending beyond rear wall  298 . In this open and released position, handle  224  is closer to top surface  238  of first rail  216  than when handle  224  is fully raised. Handle  224  does not fall back completely within bezel frame  226  under its own weight as a result of the spring force of handle spring  350  pushing against handle  224 . In this open and released position, handle  224  remains partially raised when the first sash  218  is open relative to the second sash  222 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 23 , a user may force handle  224  to its lowered position when the window is open and unlocked by providing sufficient force to overcome the spring force of spring  350 . However, upon release of the force by the user, handle  224  will return to the at least partially raised position under the spring force of spring  350 . This assures that even if a user inadvertently attempts to force handle  224  to the lowered position while window sash  218  is opened, bolt housings  328  will not move to the engaged position and handle  224  will return to the at least partially raised position to provide a visual indicator that the window is not locked. 
     When a user closes the window by sliding first sash  218  back to the closed position, the top leading edge of pawl  320  contacts strike portion  364  of latch plate  214 . As a result, lockout assembly  234  rotates about pivots  318  releasing ramp  322  from the back edge of lock tab  354 . Once lock tab  354  is no longer constrained by ramp  322  of lockout assembly  234 , bolt housing  328  is biased rearward by bolt spring  366 . Bolt housing  328  is biased rearward such that the rear portion  334  of bolt housing  328  is located within recessed area  360  of latch plate  214 . As bolt housing  328  is moved rearward, handle  224  is biased to the closed flush position by bolt housing  328 , thereby indicating that latch  210  is in a locked configuration. If bolt housing  328  does not properly align with recessed area  360  of latch plate  214 , a rear portion  334  of each bolt housing  328  includes a beveled portion  336  will contact latch plate  214  as first sash  218  is being moved to a closed position relative to second sash  222 . As beveled portion  336  contacts latch plate  214 , bolt housing  328  is slid toward the front of the base  232  until rear portion  334  of bolt housing  328  clears front surface  362  and enters into recessed area  360  of latch plate  214 . In the preferred embodiment, lockout assembly  234  does not release bolt housings  328  until rear portion  334  of bolt housing  328  is aligned with recessed area  360 . 
     It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the latch mechanism as described herein is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements and vice versa, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present inventions as expressed in the appended claims.